Professor Dr. Kees Koonings

Biography

Kees Koonings is a prominent scholar in the field of Anthropology with a particular focus on Latin American studies. He served as an Assistant Professor from 1987 to 2000 and as an Associate Professor from 2001 to 2021 at Utrecht University. In 2021, he was appointed as a Professor, where he leads research and teaching initiatives in Anthropology, Development, and Conflict. His work emphasizes various aspects such as social movements, citizenship, political change, and development theories that address poverty and social exclusion. Koonings has also held a special chair in Brazilian Studies at the University of Amsterdam from 2011. He was the Head of the Department of Anthropology at Utrecht University from 2016 to 2021. Throughout his career, he has concentrated on issues related to Latin American countries like Brazil and Colombia, exploring themes of social mobilization, democratization, militarism, and conflict. His contributions have significantly advanced understanding in the areas of social reconstruction, ethnicity, and social identity.

Research Interests