Rico Trinidad

Rico Trinidad is Associate Professor and Director of Cultural Heritage and Preservation Studies (CHAPS) at Rutgers University, affiliated with the Department of Art History in the School of Arts and Sciences. She also holds Associate Graduate Faculty status across multiple departments including Anthropology, Landscape Architecture, History, Geography, and the E.J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Her work bridges art history and critical heritage studies, with a focus on the sociopolitical dimensions of preservation in postcolonial contexts.

Education:

• Ph.D., Anthropology, Stanford University, 2011
• M.A., Cultural and Social Anthropology, Stanford University, 2010
• M.A., Principles of Conservation, University College London, 2004
• B.A., Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, 2002

Her research centers on critical heritage studies, postcolonial theory, and the role of religion and secularism in heritage formation. She investigates heritage industries in regions such as Indonesia, Qatar, and Argentina, analyzing how risk, vulnerability, and transparency shape heritage value. Her work challenges dominant narratives around Islamic heritage and explores the tension between state-led preservation and local practices. She has also examined the concept of 'anti-heritage' in the context of the Atomic Age in Argentina.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary engagement across anthropology, art history, religious studies, and conservation. They reveal a consistent focus on the politics of heritage, the role of religion, and methodological innovation in heritage studies. Key themes include UNESCO’s role in Muslim heritage, the vernacular dimensions of Islamic preservation, and the reuse of modernist architecture in Gulf cities. Her scholarship often interrogates power, representation, and decolonial epistemologies in heritage discourse.

Scientific Awards and Distinctions:

• International Diversity Guest Professorship, Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg (2023)
• MillerComm Lecture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2023)
• Burkhardt Residential Fellowship, American Council of Learned Societies (2020)
• Fellow, Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, Stanford (2020)
• Senior Visiting Fellowship, University College London Qatar (2019)

Rico Trinidad has been actively involved in advising and interdisciplinary collaboration, serving as Associate Graduate Faculty across several departments. She has co-edited special journal issues and volumes, demonstrating leadership in shaping the field. Her professional roles include Honorary Associate Professor at University College London and Consulting Scholar at the Penn Cultural Heritage Center. While specific grant details are not listed, her fellowships from ACLS and CASBS indicate significant external research support. She has also contributed to advancing critical heritage methodologies through editorial and collaborative projects.

Labs, Teams, and Professional Affiliations:

Rico Trinidad leads the Cultural Heritage and Preservation Studies (CHAPS) program at Rutgers. She is a key figure in the interdisciplinary network connecting heritage, anthropology, and planning. She collaborates with institutions such as University College London, the Penn Cultural Heritage Center, and international research centers in Germany. Her editorial work on special issues and volumes indicates leadership in global scholarly communities focused on critical heritage studies.