Matt Tomlinson

Prof. Matt Tomlinson is a Professor at the School of Culture, History & Language, Australian National University (ANU). His research focuses on sociocultural anthropology, particularly the intersection of language, politics, and religious ritual in Oceania, with a special emphasis on Fiji, Samoa, and Australia. He holds a BA from Rutgers University and a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. Key projects include an Australian Research Council Discovery Project on Spiritualism in Australia (2017–2019) and a Future Fellowship examining Indigenous Christian theology in Oceania (2012–2016). His work explores how communities engage with extrahuman entities and the social impacts of such rituals.

Research Highlights:

• Investigates Spiritualism’s sociological and anthropological dimensions in Australia.
• Examines theological translations and political dynamics in Pacific Christianity.
• Explores ritual communication, cultural identity, and colonial legacies in Oceania.

Awards:

• Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (2012–2016).

Teaching & Supervision: Convenes ANTH9101 (Contemporary Anthropological Theory) and supervises over 20 PhD students, focusing on topics like ritual practices, Indigenous Christianity, and Pacific cultural dynamics. His students’ work spans regions such as Myanmar, Cuba, Ghana, and Taiwan.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with institutions like the National University of Samoa, Pacific Theological College (Suva), and the University of Auckland to advance interdisciplinary research on Pacific cultures and religions.