Dr. Courtney Handman

Biography

Courtney Handman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in linguistic anthropology. Her early research focused on the social formations of Protestant Christianity, particularly in relation to language use and ideologies within these communities. She studied the work of Bible translators in Papua New Guinea, highlighting the significant impact of translation projects on local lives, especially in the context of the Guhu-Samane communities. Handman's current research interests revolve around the circulation of information and goods within the context of decolonization in Papua New Guinea, exploring how infrastructures such as roads, airplanes, and communication networks facilitate these processes. Recently, she has been investigating the role of large language models in artificial intelligence, particularly how they are reshaping our understanding of language and human-nonhuman interactions. Through her courses, she aims to inspire students to think critically about linguistic communication and its broader implications in contemporary society.

Research Interests

Courses