معرفی
Lena Mortensen is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto (Scarborough campus). She is currently on leave from July 2023 to June 2024. Her work bridges sociocultural anthropology with heritage studies, focusing on the intersections of tourism, commodification, and cultural politics in Central America, particularly Honduras.
- Education: Ph.D. from Indiana University (2005)
Mortensen's research explores the politics of heritage and the commodification of culture through tourism. She examines how archaeological sites like Copán are reconfigured through globalization, cultural branding, and international policy, impacting local communities' citizenship, rights, and belonging. Her publications highlight ethnographic approaches to archaeology and the material culture of heritage sites.
Mortensen's recent articles reveal trends in archaeological tourism and cultural value assessment. Her work spans topics from place-making in heritage management to cross-border archaeological contexts, emphasizing collaborative and community-based methodologies.
As co-chair of the Working Group on Cultural Tourism in the IPinCH project, she addresses intellectual property issues in cultural heritage. She mentors graduate students, including advisee Patrick Lee, and contributes to debates on heritage ethics and development programs.
