Paul Manning

Professor Paul Manning is a distinguished scholar in the Department of Anthropology at Trent University, where he has served as a Professor since 2016, following previous appointments as Associate Professor (2007-2015) and Assistant Professor (2003-2006). His academic journey includes teaching positions at the University of Chicago, Bard College, and Reed College. With a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Chicago (2001), Professor Manning has established himself as a leading figure in linguistic anthropology and semiotics.

Professor Manning's research interests span multiple domains:

• Linguistic anthropology and semiotics
• Material culture and media studies
• Urban anthropology with focus on Georgia
• Anthropology of drinks and drinking
• Folklore and monstrous media
• Virtual worlds and digital anthropology

His scholarly output demonstrates remarkable range and depth, with three influential books and numerous articles in top-tier journals. Recent publications explore spectral narratives, virtual world ecologies, Georgian urban modernism, and transnational aesthetics. His work consistently bridges theoretical innovation with rich ethnographic detail, particularly from his long-term fieldwork in Georgia.

Professor Manning's scholarly contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards including the Edward Sapir Book Prize for 'The Semiotics of Drink and Drinking' (2013) and multiple merit awards from Trent University. He has secured significant research funding, most recently an SSHRC Insight grant for his project on 'Gardens Elsewhere and Otherwise' (2021).

As an educator, Professor Manning teaches diverse courses spanning linguistic anthropology, semiotics, media studies, and specialized topics like 'Monsters' and 'Anthropology of Drinks and Drinking.' His international scholarly engagement includes editorial roles for Semiotic Review and the Bloomsbury Studies in Linguistic Anthropology series, as well as advisory positions for doctoral programs in Georgia.