Anthropology Department Adds Scholar on Gender, Performance, Identity to Faculty

Photo Submitted

Jonathan Marion

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The department of anthropology in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences has announced the addition of Jonathan S. Marion to its faculty. Marion will join the department this fall as an assistant professor. His first book, Ballroom: Culture and Costume in Competitive Dance (2008), explores themes of fashion, gender, body and culture through ballroom dancing. His second book, Visual Research: A Concise Introduction to Thinking Visually, is scheduled for release in February.

“Dr. Marion's research interests are hot topics in cultural anthropology today,” said Peter Ungar, distinguished professor of anthropology and chair of the department. “His vast and varied knowledge, combined with his teaching experience and publication record, will compliment strengths in our department and add new perspectives and approaches to doing Anthropology.”

In addition to his books, Marion has also published several peer-reviewed articles, book introductions, book reviews and a series of articles for Anthropology News. His research examines a wide range of topics and draws links between subjects such as performance, embodiment, gender, globalization, identity, physical culture and ritual. Some of his other academic interests include psychological, visual and medical anthropology. He is also an ethnographic photographer whose work has been published in numerous books and periodicals.

“This is a great time to be at the University of Arkansas,” said Marion. “I look forward to getting to know my colleagues and students and becoming part of the university community.”

Marion joins Fulbright College from the University of California-San Diego, where he served as a visiting scholar for the 2011-12 academic year. Marion has been an adjunct professor of anthropology at California State University San Marcos since 2006, earning the President’s Outstanding Faculty Award for Outstanding Lecturer. In addition to teaching at UC San Diego and CSU San Marcos, Marion has taught as an adjunct professor at MiraCosta College in California, San Diego State University and Palomar College in California.

Marion serves on the board of directors for the Society for Visual Anthropology and was recently elected as the society’s president. He is also a member of the Society for Medical Anthropology and the Society for Psychological Anthropology and has served on the board of directors for the Society of Humanistic Anthropology.

Marion holds a bachelor of arts in psychology and political philosophy from the University of Redlands in California (1994). He earned a master of arts (2000) and doctorate (2006) in anthropology from the University of California, San Diego.