Lindsay French

Lindsay French is an Associate Professor Emeritus at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), affiliated with the History, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences department. Her academic career has focused on anthropological research in Cambodia, particularly post-Genocide social reconstruction, migration dynamics, and Buddhist practices. French holds a BA and MA from the University of Michigan and a PhD from Harvard University.

Her research explores themes such as Cambodian families divided by war, refugee narratives, and the political economy of border regions. Notable works include studies on displaced Cambodians (1989–1991), Thai-Cambodian border dynamics, and the cultural heritage of Angkor Wat. She has also contributed to discussions on ethical ethnographic practices with vulnerable populations.

French’s publications span topics from shark attack patterns to visual anthropology, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach. Her recent work emphasizes memory and repair in post-conflict societies, as seen in (Hi)Stories of Repair (2022). She maintains active engagement with Cambodian cultural and historical issues through academic collaborations and public scholarship.