Dr. Graham Jones

Professor

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Biography

Graham M. Jones is a cultural linguistic anthropologist who examines how people utilize language and media to enact expertise in practice, performance, and interaction. He studied literature at Reed College (BA, 1998) and obtained his PhD in anthropology from New York University (2007). He was a postdoctoral member of the Princeton Society of Fellows (2007-2010). His monographs include 'Trade Tricks: Magician's Craft' (California, 2011), focusing on the everyday life and communication within the subculture of contemporary French illusionists, and 'Magic's Reason: Anthropology Analogy' (Chicago, 2017), which explores the significance of magic in Western modernity. His research investigates the intersections of language and culture, particularly how these shape and are shaped by digital communication technologies. He has delved into ethnographic engagements across various communities, offering insights into how signaling practices influence moral and epistemological convictions. Jones's work spans multiple contexts, from the verbal regulation among sleight-of-hand magicians to the communicative coordination of software design by computer hackers, highlighting the diverse forms of expertise within societal conversations.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2007-01-01 — Present

Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Cambridge, MA, USA

Teaching various classes related to anthropology, language, and communication.

Awards

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MITx Express Exploration Grant

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Work of Future Seed Fund Grant

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Bose Research Grant

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Teaching with Digital Technology Award

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Mellon Foundation, New Directions Fellowship

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National Science Foundation Grant

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Edgerton Award

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Levitan Award