Luisa Steur

Luisa Steur is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Amsterdam. Her research focuses on political anthropology, indigenous mobilization, and Dalit activism, with particular emphasis on Kerala's social movements. She serves as Managing and Lead Editor of Focaal—Journal of Global and Historical Anthropology.

Her research examines the intersection of caste, class, and indigenous identity in contemporary social movements. Steur investigates how global capitalism shapes local political struggles, with extensive fieldwork in Kerala analyzing tensions between communist politics, Hindutva nationalism, and indigenous rights movements. Her work critically engages with Marxist theory while exploring new forms of political subjectivity emerging in neoliberal contexts.

Steur's publications consistently explore themes of resistance, identity politics, and economic transformation. Her recent work demonstrates an increasing focus on comparative analysis of social movements across different political systems, examining how marginalized communities navigate state power and capitalist expansion.