ABOUT ME

My research examines ontological fluidity, connections and ruptures. My doctoral studies among the Batek and Manya’ of Peninsular Malaysia explored how globalization, environmental change and marginalization have led to realignments of these indigenous peoples’ animistic practices and beliefs, claims to places and relations with non-human persons (animals and spirits). I am particularly interested in rethinking anthropological concepts such as animism, connectivity, sociality and ontology. I am specialised in the study of non-state peoples, particularly hunter-gather-collectors, the anthropology of Southeast Asia, animism and globalization. Other research interests include: intersubjective transspecies interactions in shamanism and everyday life; wildlife trafficking; and, representations of indigenous peoples and ‘wildness’ in the colonial imagination.

I have studied anthropology in the UK, France and Finland and was a research associate in Malaysia. Prior to moving back to the UK in 2016, I was based in France for sixteen years where I lectured in anthropology, sociology, cultural studies and languages at different universities in the Lyon area.

Since joining the University of Exeter, I have taught on the anthropology undergraduate programme and been an active member of the Exeter Anthrozoology and Symbiotic Ethics (EASE) Working Group. Within EASE I have worked as part of an interdisciplinary project called 'Tails from the Streets' which is concerned with documenting and understanding the lives of former stray dogs in Romania.

I have been on the executive board of the International Society for Academic Research on Shamanism (ISARS) and on the editorial board for ISARS journal ‘Shaman’ since 2016.