معرفی
Matt Sumera serves as a Visiting Professor of Sociocultural Anthropology in the Department of Anthropology at Hamline University's St. Paul Main Campus, where he teaches courses at the intersection of ethnomusicology, sound studies, and the anthropology of war. His research examines how music and sound become imbricated in contemporary armed conflict and collective violence, with particular focus on affective dimensions, grief, and remembrance. Beyond academic scholarship, he actively advises Hamline's Anthropological Society and H. Sapiens undergraduate journal, fostering student research and leadership development.
Dr. Sumera's scholarly work reveals a consistent trajectory exploring sound as a critical lens for understanding war and conflict. His publications analyze music's role in post-9/11 mediated violence, the sensory politics of war's audiovisions, and the emotional resonance of sound in collective trauma. This research bridges cultural anthropology with ethnomusicology, emphasizing embodied listening practices and affective responses to conflict through creative improvised music traditions. His current book project with Pulitzer-shortlisted composer Wadada Leo Smith extends this investigation into artistic responses to historical violence.
His academic contributions have been recognized through significant awards for educational impact:
- Outstanding Advisor Award from Student Activities & Leadership Development for exceptional student organization mentorship
- 2021 Dr. Colleen S. Bell Outstanding Faculty Award for advancing campus diversity, inclusion, and social justice through student-nominated teaching excellence
As an educator with prior experience as a high school English teacher, Dr. Sumera champions experiential learning through small-group discussions and student-driven projects. His pedagogical approach prioritizes creating inclusive classrooms where students authentically engage their personal experiences with course material, reflecting his commitment to equity in higher education. His dual identity as a practicing drummer further informs his scholarly perspective on music's social and political dimensions.
