معرفی
Michael Fisch is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and of Social Sciences in the College at the University of Chicago. He is affiliated with the Department of Anthropology, the Committee on Environment, Geography, and Urbanization, and the Committee on Japanese Studies. His research integrates sociocultural anthropology with science and technology studies, focusing on the interplay between nature, culture, and technological innovation in Japan.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Anthropology, Columbia University (2008)
Research Interests:
Fisch’s work explores the dynamic relationships between technology, nature, and culture, particularly in the context of Japanese society. He is currently developing a project on experimental ecologies that challenge traditional disaster infrastructure design in post-3.11 Japan. This includes examining alternatives to massive seawalls in tsunami-prone regions. His earlier work, such as Anthropology of the Machine: Tokyo’s Commuter Train Network, offers ethnographic insights into the lived experiences of technological systems.
His broader interests include:
- Cybernetic ontologies
- Infrastructure and design
- Biomimicry and ecological innovation
- Urban theory and disaster resilience
- Immersive technological mediation
Scientific Awards:
- Fulbright Scholar, 2021–2022 (Sabbatical Research in Japan)
- National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Grant, 2021–2022
Current Status:
As of the latest update, Professor Fisch is on research leave during Winter and Spring 2026 to continue his ethnographic and theoretical work on disaster infrastructure and experimental ecologies in Japan.
