Stephen Christopher

Dr. Stephen Christopher is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Appalachian State University (App State), part of the College of Arts and Sciences. He holds a PhD in Anthropology from Syracuse University (2018) and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Copenhagen (Marie Curie Fellowship, 2022–24) and Kyoto University (JSPS Fellowship, 2019). His research focuses on religion, ecology, and cultural dynamics in South and East Asia, with a particular interest in new religiosity, corporate spirituality, and tribal identities.

He currently co-leads the John Templeton Foundation’s project on 'New Religiosity and the Digital Study of Eudaimonia', analyzing global religious groups and well-being. His recent edited volumes include Caste, COVID-19, and Inequalities of Care (2022) and Queerness in Contemporary Vietnam (2025). He co-edits Contemporary Buddhism and serves as Asia Editor for the Database of Religious History.

His teaching spans institutions like Beijing Normal University, Vietnam National University, and the University of Bremen. Ongoing projects include a museum exhibition on religious diversity and an ethnographic film. His research interests encompass tribal ecologies, corporate religion, manga studies, and LGBTQ+ spirituality.

Key areas of focus include:

• Analysis of religion in digital and corporate contexts
• Queer theory in Southeast Asian Buddhist contexts
• Tribal and Dalit identity politics
• Esotericism and global business networks

He has collaborated on interdisciplinary studies such as the 'Tribal Ecologies' initiative (2023) and the 'Business Spirits' special issue (2024), examining intersections of religion, economics, and environment.