Congratulations to Dr. Vinay Kamat on his recent promotion to full professor and his appointment as Head of the Department, which begins in July 2025.
“Vinay Kamat is an accomplished anthropologist with a deep sense of humanity. He is unfailingly conscientious, and fundamentally dedicated to service, advocacy and care for his colleagues,” says outgoing Interim Head, Dr. Tracey Heatherington. “He has been generous to take on this academic leadership just when we need him most, and we are so proud to have him representing our department as the new Head.”
“Vinay Kamat is an accomplished anthropologist with a deep sense of humanity. He is unfailingly conscientious, and fundamentally dedicated to service, advocacy and care for his colleagues.”
A medical anthropologist with extensive fieldwork experience in coastal Tanzania and India, Dr. Kamat’s research focuses on global health, environmental justice, and the socio-political impacts of conservation and resource extraction. His recent book, In a Wounded Land, explores the effects of marine conservation and natural gas development on local communities in Tanzania.
“I want to thank my department colleagues and the Dean of Arts, for their trust in me as I step into this role at a time when anthropological insights are becoming more relevant than ever to our everyday lives. It’s a privilege to work alongside a talented and engaged community of scholars, students, and staff,” said Dr. Kamat. “I would also like to thank Dr. Tracey Heatherington, who, in her time as Acting Head has led our department with great care, alacrity, and integrity.”
For more on Dr. Kamat’s work, visit his UBC profile.
