Manfred B. Steger

Manfred B. Steger is Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Sociology at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, within the College of Social Sciences. He is a leading scholar in social and global theory, with a focus on the symbolic dimensions of globalization and the development of Global Studies as an interdisciplinary field.

Research Interests: His work centers on the role of ideas, beliefs, language, and symbolic systems in shaping global discourse. He employs a transdisciplinary approach that bridges the social sciences and humanities, critically examining concepts such as globalization, neoliberalism, and the sociology of knowledge. His research has been instrumental in defining and institutionalizing Global Studies as an academic domain.

Although specific publications are not listed in the provided text, his scholarly output is internationally recognized and spans theoretical and applied analyses of globalization. His teaching includes foundational courses such as SOC 180 (Introduction to International and Global Studies), SOC 321 (Survey of Sociological Theory), and graduate seminars on Classical and Contemporary Sociological Theory, as well as specialized topics like globalization and neoliberalism.

Community Engagement and Leadership: Steger has held leadership roles across academic communities on four continents, including editorial and mentorship responsibilities. He is actively involved with socially engaged organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and Greenpeace, demonstrating a commitment to social justice. Additionally, he provides spiritual guidance as a Zen Buddhist meditation teacher, integrating intellectual and contemplative practices.

Education:

• PhD in Political Science, Rutgers University, 1995
• MA in Political Science, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, 1991
• BA in Religion and Political Science, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, 1990
• Advanced Diploma in Banking and Finance, First Austrian Bank Business College, Vienna, 1984