Gregory Starrett

Gregory Starrett is Professor and Chair of Anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences. His research examines cultural politics of Islamic education, popular culture in the Middle East, and anthropological theory. Education includes a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Stanford University.

Research interests focus on religious transformation, secularism, Islamic commodities, and cultural responses to political violence. His work analyzes how religious education intersects with state politics and social movements across diverse cultural contexts.

Recent publications explore contemporary political phenomena through anthropological lenses, including studies of insurrections, ethnic identity conflicts, and right-wing movements. Cross-cutting themes include ritual, symbolism in public culture, and epistemological challenges in social science research.

Awards:

• Bank of America Award for Teaching Excellence Finalist (2011)

Editorial roles include service for the Review of Middle East Studies and Comparative Studies in Society and History. Led UNC Charlotte's successful Phi Beta Kappa chapter establishment initiative.