Mark Liechty

Mark Liechty is a Professor of Anthropology and History at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), with a joint appointment in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania (1994) and a BA in History and Biology from Goshen College (1983), alongside schooling at Woodstock International School in India. As a leading South Asianist, his research focuses on Nepali history, society, and culture, with specializations in class theory, consumer culture, globalization, and development studies.

His major works include Suitably Modern (2003), Out Here in Kathmandu (2010), and What Went Right (2022). He co-edits the journal Studies in Nepali History and Society since 1997. His research explores themes like media studies, tourism, youth culture, and the intersection of cultural history with social theory.

Recent publications address Nepal’s post-earthquake reconstruction and hydropower sustainability, reflecting his commitment to applied anthropological insights in global contexts. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with ethnographic rigor, contributing to debates on modernity and globalization in South Asia.