Ivan Flores Obregon

Dr. Ivan Flores Obregon is a Professor of Anthropology at Universidad Iberoamericana Puebla and Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM) Puebla campus, specializing in digital anthropology and contemporary digital cultures. His academic work focuses on the intersection of technology, gaming, and social practices in Latin American contexts, particularly examining how digital spaces shape identity, community, and professionalization.

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Anthropological Sciences from the Autonomous Metropolitan University (2018-2023)
• Master's degree in Anthropological Sciences, specializing in Cultural Anthropology (2016-2018)
• Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (2007-2012)

Dr. Flores's research interests center on digital anthropology, with particular expertise in video game studies, digital ethnography, and the materiality of technology. His work critically examines the transition of video gaming to sport, the construction of value in digital athlete communities, and the paradoxical presence of digital technologies in everyday life. He has developed innovative methodological approaches for conducting fieldwork in technology-mediated environments, emphasizing how researchers must adapt theoretical and methodological commitments when working with digital cultures.

His publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on Mexican and Latin American digital cultures, with particular attention to how amateur and semi-professional digital athletes navigate the professionalization of gaming. His work bridges anthropology, social psychology, and media studies, offering nuanced analyses of how digital technologies mediate social interactions and identity formation.

Dr. Flores received the Medal of University Merit from the Metropolitan Autonomous University in 2018, recognizing his academic excellence.

As an educator, Dr. Flores has taught courses on digital ethnography at multiple institutions including Universidad Iberoamericana, ITESO, and UNAM. He has organized significant academic events including the International Congress of Digital Ethnographies and the Latin American Meeting of Digital Anthropology. His collaborative work extends to the Psicosocial Academy (ITESO-Ibero Puebla) and the Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA), where he contributes to advancing research on digital cultures.

Dr. Flores is an active researcher within several collaborative networks including the 'Work in Contemporary Capitalism' group (CLACSO), the 'Psicosocial Academy' (ITESO-Ibero Puebla), and the 'Youth and Digital Culture' group of the National Autonomous University of Mexico's Youth Research Seminar.