Dr. François Richard

Biography

François G. Richard is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Chicago. He holds a PhD from Syracuse University obtained in 2007. His research focuses on historical anthropology and archaeology, with specific interests in agrarian capitalism, political economy, landscapes, materiality, and temporality, as well as rural communities and issues related to race and colonialism. His work examines the sociopolitical changes in the Siin region of Senegal over the past 400 years, highlighting the relationship between rural villagers and state power. Richard's upcoming book, 'Reluctant Landscapes: Historical Anthropologies of Political Experience in Siin,' argues that the material conditions of rural life have significantly influenced the local modes of action and moral imaginations in the region. He also investigates the dynamics of French colonialism in Mexico, focusing on descendants of French agricultural colonists in Veracruz and their complex identity negotiations within the broader socio-political context. In addition to his research, Richard teaches various undergraduate and graduate courses in anthropology, encompassing topics such as political life and colonialism in Africa and Latin America.

Research Interests

Experience