Elaine Gerber

Elaine Gerber is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Montclair State University (MSU), affiliated with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Her research focuses on the intersection of disability studies, medical anthropology, and food systems, emphasizing disability as a social construct. She holds a PhD from UCLA and has conducted extensive fieldwork on disability culture, accessibility, and food insecurity.

• Education:
  • PhD, Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles (1999)
  • MA, Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles (1999)
  • BA, Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (1989)
• Research Interests:
  • Disability studies and cultural anthropology
  • Food insecurity among disabled populations
  • Audio description and accessibility
  • Intersection of race, gender, and disability

Her work bridges theory and practice, including community-based participatory research projects like the #EatDis initiative examining barriers to food access for disabled individuals. Notable publications explore disability identity, food as a site of resistance, and the built environment's impact on marginalized groups.

Awards & Grants: Recipient of the 2018 Society for Applied Anthropology Fellowship, Chateaubriand Fellowship (1996), and Montclair State’s “Best Professor” recognition (2019). Funded projects include a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant ($100k) on physical activity barriers for people with disabilities.

Teaching & Service: Teaches courses on disability studies, medical anthropology, and food studies. Founded MSU’s Disability Caucus and volunteers with organizations like the Reelabilities Film Festival. Served as President of the Society for Disability Studies (2007–2009).

Labs/Teams: Leads the #EatDis research project and collaborates with the World Institute on Disability on food education initiatives.