Dr. Elana Zilberg

Associate Professor

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Biography

Elana Zilberg is an Associate Professor at the University of California, San Diego, specializing in cultural anthropology with a focus on security, space, and mobility in relation to the United States and Latin America. Her notable work includes the book 'Space Detention: Making Transnational Gang Crisis Los Angeles San Salvador', which examines the intersections of transnational space, neoliberalism, globalization, and the effects of immigration and law enforcement. Zilberg also investigates urban river revitalization movements as part of her interest in urban space, built environments, and environmental activism. As a committed educator, she teaches graduate seminars on ethnographic methods and writing and co-founded the Studio Ethnographic Design program on campus. She received her Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2002. Her research encompasses a range of topics including migration, cultural politics, and the production of urban environments.

Research Interests

Experience

Co-Director

— Present

Nature, Space Politics, International Institute • University of California, San Diego

Co-Director of the Nature, Space Politics International Institute focusing on the intersection of sociopolitical and environmental issues.

Principal Investigator

— Present

University of California Collaboratory for Ethnographic Design • University of California, San Diego

Led research projects as Principal Investigator in ethnographic design.

Co-Founder

— Present

Studio Ethnographic Design • University of California, San Diego

Established the Studio Ethnographic Design program to advance ethnographic research methodologies.

Requirements for University of California, San Diego

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:85
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:120
Overall
Required:120
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in physical, biological, or earth sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Differential and integral calculus. One year of calculus-based physics with laboratory. One year of chemistry with laboratory.
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose (max 2 pages)
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Application fee ($135 domestic / $155 international)
Specialization Notes

Administered by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Curricular groups include Climate-Ocean-Atmosphere (COAP), Geosciences (GEO), and Ocean Biosciences (OBP).