Dr. Deirdre De La Cruz

Biography

Deirdre de la Cruz is a historian and cultural anthropologist specializing in Southeast Asian studies, particularly focusing on the Philippines. Her research examines the transformation of religious sensibilities and beliefs through modernity, highlighting the diverse expressions of Filipino Christianity and their material, textual, and technological mediations. De la Cruz's seminal work, "Mother Figured: Marian Apparitions Making Filipino Universal," published by the University of Chicago Press in 2015, investigates the historical significance of Marian apparitions in the Philippines from the mid-nineteenth century to the turn of the millennium. Her current book project, "God's Magicians: Philippine Centers Global Occult," delves into alternative spiritual movements in the Philippines that intersect with global occult discourses. In addition to her academic pursuits, she engages in public scholarship and has led initiatives aimed at creating ethical and equitable access to Philippine collections at the University of Michigan, advocating for greater inclusion of Filipino Indigenous voices in the stewardship of cultural heritage. De la Cruz has developed and taught numerous courses on religious conversion in Asia, gender, and sexuality in Southeast Asia, as well as historical methodologies in the study of religion. She has gained recognition as an award-winning educator, particularly for her innovative approaches to teaching undergraduate students about the complex history of the Philippines and its cultural connections to the University of Michigan.

Research Interests