Stephanie Ketterer

Stephanie Ketterer is an Associate Professor in the Sociology of Development and Change at Wageningen University & Research. Her research focuses on rural transformations, technological change, and infrastructural development, particularly in Pacific Island contexts. She holds a PhD and has conducted extensive fieldwork in the Solomon Islands, examining how communities navigate technological interventions while maintaining cultural autonomy.

Current projects include exploring digital autonomy in remote regions (funded by NWO-Veni) and documenting endangered material knowledge systems (via the Arcadia Foundation/British Museum). She teaches courses such as Anthropology and Development and Critical Reflection on Research in International Development Practice, contributing to MSc programs in Disaster Studies and Sociology of Development and Change.

Her work challenges dominant development paradigms, emphasizing reciprocal energy systems and indigenous data sovereignty. She collaborates with institutions like Dutch universities to address colonial legacies in data management. Stephanie’s research bridges anthropology, sociology, and environmental studies, addressing urgent issues like climate migration and digital exploitation.