Maria Williams

Maria Williams is a Professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), holding a joint appointment with the Department of Music and the Alaska Native Studies Program. She currently serves as the Alaska Native Studies Program Chair and specializes in Ethnomusicology through her research, teaching, and documentary work.

• Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from UCLA (1996), focusing on Alaska Native music and dance

Her research centers on Alaska Native indigenous cultural practices, utilizing a community-driven framework based on indigenous models. Key themes include cultural preservation, traditional knowledge documentation, and the intersection of music/dance with social identity. Her work often involves collaboration with Native communities and institutions like the National Park Service.

Williams' publications highlight her ethnographic approach, combining academic analysis with immersive fieldwork. Notable works include documentaries chronicling Alaskan indigenous journeys and edited contributions to cultural studies literature. Her output spans from foundational 1990s scholarship to recent multimedia projects.