Danse de Bondt

Dr. Danse de Bondt is a Lecturer in the Department of Cultural Anthropology at Utrecht University. She holds a BSc and MSc in Cultural Anthropology from Utrecht University (2009-2015) and PhDs in legal anthropology from Tilburg Law School and the University of Edinburgh (2017-2023). Her research focuses on the role of alcohol in governance practices in rural Uganda, examining the interplay between state institutions and clan councils. She explores sovereignty dynamics and the sociopolitical significance of traditional practices in African contexts.

Teaching and Programs:

• Involved in the Master's program Cultural Anthropology: Sustainable Citizenship
• Teaches in the Bachelor's program Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology
• Conducts courses like Political Anthropology: Power, Politics and the State

Research Interests:

Her work bridges legal pluralism, state anthropology, and qualitative methodologies. She investigates how non-state actors (e.g., clan councils) negotiate authority with formal governance structures, particularly through the lens of alcohol regulation in Ugandan districts. This research highlights the socio-political embeddedness of cultural practices in shaping power relations.