Anthropologist and Urban Ethnographer
What We DO
Social Lives of Infrastructure Kickoff
7 October, 2025
The Social Lives of Infrastructure research cluster convened faculty, students, and researchers to launch an interdisciplinary dialogue on how neighborhood infrastructures — roads, transit, digital networks, and green spaces — shape everyday life, social relations, and urban futures. One of the goals of this meeting is to strengthen networks within SMU and to develop robust, innovative methods for spatial analysis.
GIS@SMU Kickoff
18 September, 2025
Our interdisciplinary research cluster, GIS@SMU, has convened its kickoff meeting to bring together faculty, students, and researchers. The gathering explored the potential of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for spatial analysis, participatory mapping, and critically engaging with questions of space, place, and human experience.
Geospatial Thinking for a Changing World
17 April, 2025
In today’s interconnected world, spatial thinking is essential for navigating complexity. GIS@SMU hosted a public talk with geographer Joseph Kerski, who led a discussion and live demonstration on the power of geospatial technologies, highlighting their applications in social science and qualitative research across diverse disciplines.
Ethnographic Workshop
4-9 April, 2024
Dr. Priyadarshini designed and facilitated a workshop titled “Ethnographic Methods in Education Research” for the Department of Teaching and Learning at SMU. The workshop introduced participants to key ethnographic approaches, highlighting how observation, interviewing, and participatory methods can be applied to educational contexts.
