Susan Vincent

Dr. Susan Vincent is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at St. Francis Xavier University, specializing in political and economic anthropology, gender, and development studies. Her research focuses on livelihood strategies in marginalized communities, with extensive fieldwork in Allpachico, a Peruvian highland community since 1984. She investigates the impacts of state social spending, political decentralization, and pensions on community resilience, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work also addresses gendered income opportunities through case studies like Tupperware and education equity.

Research Highlights:

• SSHRC-funded research (2017–2021) on livelihoods in Peruvian communities amid economic and environmental challenges.
• Analysis of how pensions and state programs support families in Allpachico.
• Study of local food production in Antigonish County, Nova Scotia.

Grants & Collaborations:

• SSHRC grant for interdisciplinary research on livelihoods in Peru.
• Cross-cultural collaborations with Peruvian communities and student researchers.

Teaching: Courses include People and Development, Anthropological Theory, and Feminist Anthropology, emphasizing critical engagement with development practices and equity.