Dr. Thomas Ward

Biography

Thomas Ward is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Southern California. His research areas include street gangs, particularly focusing on Central American immigrant youth, and Tibetan Bön Buddhism. He completed his Ph.D. in Anthropology (Psycho-cultural Studies) at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1987 and subsequently held a post-doctoral fellowship in Medical Anthropology at the University of California, San Francisco. Professor Ward has conducted significant research on street gangs since 1993 and has integrated his findings into prevention and intervention strategies. He teaches classes related to meditation and gang prevention programs, particularly in the Pico-Union district of Los Angeles. His work has earned him recognition as a court-certified expert witness in cases involving gangs, criminal matters, and immigration courts.

Research Interests

Experience