I am a cultural anthropologist and my research focuses on several themes including: Migration and Refugees, Economics and Development, Nutrition, and Methodology.
Since the early 1990s I have studied migration from communities in Oaxaca, Mexico to the US with support from the National Science Foundation. I also conduct comparative research on Mexican, Dominican and Turkish migration.
My work on food and eating insects in Mexico was supported by the National Geographic Society.
I have served as an expert witness on several criminal and immigration/refugee cases and consulted on marketing and cultural issues with Fortune 500 companies.
In my latest book, EATING SOUP WITHOUT A SPOON: ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORY AND METHOD IN THE REAL WORLD, I explore how to conduct research. You can learn more at: http://utpress.utexas.edu/index.php/books/cohen-eating-soup-without-a-spoon
Mexicans are migrating, just not across the US border
Dec 01, 2016 01:36 am UTC| Insights & Views
Mexican migration to the U.S. is in decline. The Pew Hispanic Research Center has found that since 2009, more than one million native-born Mexicans living in the U.S. returned to Mexico. But many other Mexicans never...
Refugees, migration addressed in first-time UN summit: What was accomplished?
Sep 22, 2016 23:25 pm UTC| Insights & Views
This week the United Nations General Assembly held the first-ever Summit for Refugees and Migrants. According to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the summit represented a watershed moment to strengthen governance of...
With 10,000 Syrian refugees resettled in the US, are more on the way?
Sep 15, 2016 02:09 am UTC| Insights & Views
On Sept. 12, a new cease-fire took effect in Syria. With a lull in fighting, some are hopeful for an end to the nations ongoing civil war. Yet, even if the war ends soon, rebuilding the country will take time. As many...
A record 65.3 million people were displaced last year: What does that number actually mean?
Aug 01, 2016 07:26 am UTC| Insights & Views Life
We continue to witness violent attacks bombings and murders in France, Germany, Turkey, Afghanistan and Iraq; fighting in South Sudan and the continued civil war in Syria. These conflicts have renewed interest in the...
Where have 4.8 million Syrian refugees gone?
Apr 18, 2016 02:57 am UTC| Insights & Views
The Syrian civil war has entered its fifth year with few signs of ending. The fighting has forced more than 13.5 million Syrians to flee their homes. Most of the displaced have not left Syria, but have simply moved...