Dr. Karen Pennesi

Biography

Karen Pennesi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Western University, specializing in Linguistic Sociocultural Anthropology. With a PhD from the University of Arizona in 2007, her research explores how language plays a crucial role in the processes that construct individual and group identities, with a particular focus on personal names as symbols of identity. Pennesi investigates how names influence self-perception, as well as the unequal treatment of individuals based on how their names fit into legal and institutional frameworks. She emphasizes the significance of names in the context of immigration, social integration, and belonging within a linguistically and culturally diverse society. Her work often merges ethnographic and discourse-based perspectives, addressing issues of social justice and communication between scientists and the public. An active researcher, Pennesi has produced numerous studies on naming practices, ethnic identity, and the representation of culture in public platforms. She engages students in her research, particularly regarding verbal art and its intersection with experiences of social upheaval during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pennesi regularly teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in anthropological methods, discourse analysis, and sociocultural linguistics, encouraging inquiries in these dynamic research areas.

Research Interests

Courses