Dr. Mark Turin

Biography

Mark Turin is a socio-cultural anthropologist and Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia, cross-appointed with the Institute for Critical Indigenous Studies and the Department of Anthropology. His background combines ethnographic methods, anthropological theory, and field linguistics to engage with communities in the Himalayan region and North America. He served as Chair of the Nations Endangered Languages Program from 2014 to 2018, and engaged in significant academic leadership roles, including Acting Co-Director of the Institute for Critical Indigenous Studies. His extensive research focuses on language endangerment, revitalization, and reclamation, drawing from his work with various communities, including the Thangmi-speaking populations of Nepal and Darjeeling, India. Mark has directed important initiatives such as the World Oral Literature Project, aimed at preserving endangered oral traditions, and the Digital Himalaya Project, which provides multimedia resources from the Himalayan region. His diverse experiences have included collaboration with the United Nations and research appointments at renowned institutions like Yale University. Mark teaches graduate courses on topics ranging from ethnolinguistics to decolonial methodologies, and actively involves students in innovative teaching and research methodologies. He has received numerous awards in recognition of his contributions to the field of anthropology and education.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards