Nicholas Dirks

Nicholas Dirks is a Professor of History and Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley (2013-present), having previously served as Chancellor of UC Berkeley (2013-2017). He holds a PhD in History from the University of Chicago (1981), specializing in South Asian History and Anthropology. His academic career includes roles at Columbia University (2000-2013), the University of Michigan (1990-1997), and the California Institute of Technology, among others.

Dirks' research focuses on colonialism's impact on South Asian societies, cultural theory, and the intersections of history and anthropology. His seminal works include Castes of Mind (2001), which reinterprets colonial constructions of caste systems, and The Scandal of Empire (2006), analyzing British imperial narratives. His recent publication Autobiography of an Archive (2015) explores postcolonial historiography.

Dirks' scholarly contributions span editorial roles in major anthologies like In Near Ruins (1998) and foundational texts like Colonialism and Culture (1992). His work frequently critiques colonial legacies in academia and public discourse.