Dean Saranillio

Dean Saranillio is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where he also serves as Graduate Chair. His work is situated at the intersection of Indigenous Studies, race, and empire, with a focus on settler colonialism, racial capitalism, and environmental crisis in Hawaiʻi and the broader Pacific.

His research explores how non-Native communities can engage in place-based solidarity with Native Hawaiian foodways, economies, and movements. He investigates how capitalism is continuously reproduced through the destruction of non-human relations, contributing to the current climate emergency. His scholarship is deeply informed by the mentorship of Haunani-Kay Trask and seeks to envision political alternatives beyond settler colonial structures.

Dean Saranillio earned his PhD in American Culture from the University of Michigan (2009), an MA in Asian American Studies from UCLA (2003), and a BA in Ethnic Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (2001). He previously held faculty positions at the University of California, Riverside and New York University, where he received tenure.

He teaches courses such as POLS 271: Race and Politics, POLS 301: Hawaiʻi Politics, POLS 379: Power and America, and POLS 686: Politics of Hawaiʻi. His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to justice, decolonization, and transformative political praxis.

• PhD, American Culture, University of Michigan, 2009
• MA, Asian American Studies, University of California, Los Angeles, 2003
• BA, Ethnic Studies, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2001

While no scientific awards or publications are listed in the provided text, his work is recognized for its critical engagement with empire, race, and environmental destruction. His teaching and research emphasize collaborative, community-centered approaches to political change.

Dean Saranillio has advised graduate students in his role as Graduate Chair, though specific names are not listed. His academic leadership and interdisciplinary research contribute significantly to the fields of political theory, ethnic studies, and Indigenous futures. There is no mention of active grants or formal research labs, but his work implies strong community and interdisciplinary partnerships.