At VU Anthropology we produce internationally leading anthropological research and we are doing research all over the world.
We consider it of the utmost importance to answer the most urgent questions of today's world. Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
13/05/2026
https://vu.nl/en/events/2026/ethnographic-filmday-2026
Ethnographic Filmday 2026 - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Want to experience an exciting event with ethnographic films and stories from around the world? Join the Ethnographic Filmday!
02/05/2026
On behalf of the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, we would like to warmly invite you to the VU Ethnographic Filmday 2026, taking place on 21 May 2026 (12:00–15:30) at the NU Building, Theaterzaal 1.
The programme brings together a curated selection of ethnographic films that highlight the importance of visual ethnography and explore filmmaking as a form of inquiry. It includes both established and emerging voices, as well as student works.
We will start with an opening by Daphne Koutra, an award-winning film art director whose work includes 'Triangle of Sadness', winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, titled“Film production design as a form of ethnographic inquiry”.
The films programme features:
Madre by Talita Carvalho & Pedro Afonso Branco Ramos Pinto
Student film: Internal Eyes and Behind the Smile
Lukochuri by Nasrin Siraj & Ellen Bal
Loose Ends by Lianne Cremers, Cato Jansen & Lianne Kotte
Letter to a Friend by Jai Jai & Maaike Matelski
The event will conclude with drinks, providing an opportunity for informal exchange among students, researchers, and practitioners.
Education Social and Cultural Anthropology - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam The Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology offers a bachelor’s programme, pre-master's programme and a master’s programme in English.
16/10/2025
https://vu.nl/en/events/2025/entangled-pasts-living-presents-heritage-the-mediterranean
Entangled Pasts, Living Presents: Heritage & the Mediterranean - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Discover how ruins, artifacts, and landscapes reveal the Mediterranean’s living connections between past, present, and future.
Dimitris Dalakoglou, professor at the department of anthropology, together with Vasilis Kostakis, has published a new article: "How to reconcile technology and justice in the circular economy: the innovation of open-source mid-tech solutions"
Prof. Dalakoglou on Reconciling Technology and Justice in the Circular Economy - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Prof. Dalakoglou, together with Vasilis Kostakis, has published a new article: "How to reconcile technology and justice in the circular economy"
17/08/2025
The VU Introduction Days start this week!
We want to welcome all new students to our campus. During the introduction days, you’ll get to know the campus and meet other new students. Your mentors are there to help with any questions you might have and will explore the city with you through fun activities.
VU Bachelor Introduction Days - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Join the VU Bachelor Introduction Days 2025 and get to know the university, your fellow students, the VU-campus and Amsterdam!
17/07/2025
We are excited to invite you to a seminar organized by Eva van Roekel and Pablo Ampuero Ruiz, and sponsored by the Ethnographic Impact Lab and the Creative Anthropologies Network. Please see the poster below
for all information.
26/06/2025
A one-day networking meeting on “The More-than-Human” will take place in our new Faculty, bringing together staff and students interested in human-nature relations from across the Schools of Religion and Theology, Social Sciences, and Humanities.
Location & Date: Monday 30 June, room HG02A-37 (Main Building)
If you would like to attend, please send an e-mail to Lisa Ausic, [email protected].
https://vu.nl/en/news/2025/the-more-than-human-networking-meeting
19/06/2025
Maaike Matelski, Assistant Professor at our department, has published a blog on post-earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar. This coincides with her book 'Contested Civil Society in Myanmar: Local Change and Global Recognition' now being available open access!
The weaponisation of earthquake relief efforts in post-coup Myanmar - Transforming Society Maaike Matelski, author of 'Contested Civil Society in Myanmar', discusses how Myanmar’s military has politicised earthquake aid—blocking relief and repressing activists—while local responders act alone amid fading global support.
16/06/2025
Conference Invitation: Energy Transition & Resource Extractivism in the Americas
What does the future of energy look like for South America, and at what cost?
Join us 25–26 June 2025 at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam for a critical two-day workshop exploring how the pursuit of natural resources continues to shape power, identity, and environmental futures across the Americas.
From gold and oil to lithium and rare earths, resource extraction has long shaped governance and development across the region.
Highlights include:
• A screening of Los Descendientes del Jaguar by Eriberto Gualinga (Q&A with Berta Gualinga)
• Roundtable: Extracting for Energy in the Americas
• Student research showcases and critical discussions
Location: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Day 1 (Agora 5) ; Day 2 (Agora 1)
Dates: 25–26 June 2025
Register now and be part of this timely dialogue.
https://lnkd.in/e6ydM-PT
Organised by the ASI Research Cluster Biodiversity and Natural Resources and the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, VU Amsterdam.
We look forward to welcoming you!
