James Daria

James Daria is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Spelman College, where he has served since 2022. His research and teaching focus on labor and migration within the global food system, with a particular emphasis on modern slavery, exploitation, and human rights of migrant farmworkers in North and Central America.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Anthropology (2019), University of Oregon
• M.A. in Anthropology (2013), University of Oregon
• M.A. in Latin American and Caribbean Studies (2010), University of Chicago
• M.Ed. in Literacy (2003) and B.A. in Anthropology (1999), University of Cincinnati

Dr. Daria’s research explores systemic labor violations in agricultural industries, particularly in Mexico’s agro-export sector. He investigates how corporate social responsibility programs, labor certifications, and immigration policies intersect with exploitation, modern slavery, and farmworker rights. His ethnographic work bridges academic knowledge with activism, focusing on accessibility and advocacy for marginalized labor communities.

Recent publications highlight trends in labor rights violations within Mexico’s agricultural industry, corporate manipulation of labor reforms, and the role of cultural practices like the Fandango in fostering social cohesion. His work spans critical analyses of CSR programs, labor certification schemes, and the socio-political dynamics of migrant labor.