Dr. Daena Funahashi

Biography

Daena Funahashi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on the intersections of political anthropology and socio-cultural dynamics, particularly concerning themes of negativity, political legitimacy, economic stress, and issues of sacrifice in contemporary society. Her recent book, 'Untimely Sacrifices: Work and Death in Finland' published by Cornell University Press in 2023, offers a critical analysis of occupational burnout and stress within the framework of public health and societal expectations. She has conducted extensive ethnographic research in Finland, exploring the implications of labor and personal sacrifice on individuals' lives in the context of state welfare systems. Funahashi is also engaged with the Medical Anthropology Program, the Center for Southeast Asia Studies, and the Ideological Critique Group at UC Berkeley. Her work has been supported by notable institutions including the IIE-Fulbright Program and the Wenner-Gren Foundation. Funahashi’s scholarly contributions include articles in prestigious journals such as 'Cultural Anthropology' and 'American Ethnologist,' and her broader explorations touch upon economic and psychological dimensions of governance and health politics, particularly in Thailand.

Research Interests