Mathijs Pelkmans

Mathijs Pelkmans is a Professor of Anthropology at the London School of Economics (LSE), specializing in the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the sociocultural dynamics of post-Soviet societies. His work examines borders, religious change, and the intersection of secularism and faith. He holds a PhD from the University of Amsterdam and has conducted extensive fieldwork in Georgia (1999–2001) and Kyrgyzstan (2003–2018), analyzing themes like border politics, missionary movements, and post-socialist transitions. His research includes studies on the iron curtain between Georgia and Turkey, the evolution of Kyrgyz religious landscapes, and the 'secular' and 'religious' frameworks in post-atheist contexts. Pelkmans has authored books such as Fragile Conviction (2017) and Defending the Border (2006), and edited volumes including How People Compare (2022). His current project explores 'Trading Truths in the Caucasus,' focusing on missionaries, diplomats, and spies.

Education: PhD in Anthropology from University of Amsterdam; Research Fellow at Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology (2003–2006).

Research Interests:

• Border studies and frontier dynamics
• Historical anthropology of post-Soviet societies
• Comparative religious movements
• Sociology of knowledge and belief
• Missionary encounters and conversion processes
• Nation-state formation in Central Asia and Caucasus

Articles highlight themes like missionary strategies, ethnic boundaries, and post-Soviet governance, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to understanding cultural and political transformations. Pelkmans' work critiques simplistic narratives of religious revival, emphasizing the complex interplay between modernity, tradition, and power.