Faculty News

Prof. Knott featured in this months National Geographic

BU Anthropology’s Cheryl Knott is featured in this month’s National Geographic magazine! From Christopher Schmitt: The article focuses on Gunung Palung, the Park in Indonesia where she has been the principal investigator for the past 30 years. The piece frames her conservation work to save the orangutans and the rainforest (through partnering with local people […]

Prof Hefner presents at the Center for Asian Democracy

On February 5, 2024, Professor Bob Hefner presented an invited lecture on “Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama and the Challenge of an Inclusive Islamic Ethics” at the Center for Asian Democracy. The Center is associated with with the Department of Political Scienceat the University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40208. His host was the political scientist David Buckley.

Prof Hefner speaks to the League of Women Voters of Williamsburg, VA

On February 3, 2024, Bob presented a lecture via zoon to the League of Women Voters of Williamsburg, VA. The title was “Understanding Indonesia: A Muslim-majority Democracy,” and was part of the League’s year-long talk series on, “Great Decisions 2024.” Political scientist Dr. Donald Schilling was the moderator.

Prof. Bob Hefner Keynote Address at Nahdlatul Ulama Congress in Indonesia

Hefner Keynote Address at Nahdlatul Ulama Congress in Indonesia On January 29, 2024, Robert (Bob) Hefner presented an invited keynote address in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, at the annual national congress of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).  With some 90 million followers, NU is the largest Muslim organization in the world.  Over the past ten years NU has committed […]

The Anthropology Department fondly remembers Jane Guyer after her passing

We remember fondly Jane Guyer, former Professor of Anthropology and the African Studies Center at Boston University. She passed away in January 2024. BU professor Parker Shipton  writes: “Jane Guyer was a much beloved and respected professor in BU’s Anthropology Department and the African Studies Center before she moved to Johns Hopkins to be with […]

Prof Tom Barfield’s new book, Shadow Empires, is reviewed in the New York Times!

Prof Tom Barfield’s new book, Shadow Empires, is reviewed in the New York Times! “Being good at conquest isn’t just about logistics and battle tactics. Today’s anti-“woke” warriors in Congress likely would be surprised by the Boston University anthropologist Thomas Barfield’s insightful SHADOW EMPIRES: An Alternative Imperial History (Princeton University Press, 366 pp., $35). Barfield concludes […]