Dr. Lisa Messeri

Biography

Lisa Messeri is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Yale University, where she also serves as the Director of Graduate Studies. Her research explores how science and technology shape our understanding of the world, emphasizing the importance of social scientific insights when assessing the impact of scientific and technical projects. She has published significant works, including 'Placing Outer Space: Earthly Ethnography Worlds' (2016) and her forthcoming book, 'Land Unreal: Virtual Realities Los Angeles' (2024), which examines the resurgence of virtual reality and its implications for reality beliefs. Messeri’s work often interlinks conversations on sociocultural anthropology, science and technology studies, media studies, and cultural geography. Her research has been featured in prominent media outlets such as The New York Times, The Guardian, Wired, and PBS, and she has presented her findings at various academic institutions and cultural venues worldwide.

Research Interests