Dr Luke Heslop
Senior Lecturer in Anthropology and Global Challenges

Summary

I trained in anthropology at the University of Edinburgh (PhD 2015) and was a Fellow at the London School of Economics prior to joining Brunel as a Lecturer in Anthropology. I have worked for many years in Sri Lanka and the Maldives and my research is centred on current trends in development and anthropology around markets, kinship, infrastructure, work and labour. My ethnographic work engages with the lived experience of macro-economic and political change and global challenges in emerging economies. I specialise in trade, mobility, and the social life of work in South Asia. Further research focusses on the financialisation of Development, transforming modes of Aid, and the relationship between entrepreneurship and advice. 

Academic adjacent roles:

Director of Research at the Policy Research Institute for South Asia (PRISA)

Consultant Anthropologist for the Placemaking Team at Dar Al-Handasah 

Country of Origin Expert and Consultant for Communitology

Producer and Co-host of the hit podcast series The Migration Menu. 

Office hours by appointment. Email luke.heslop@brunel.ac.uk to make an appointment. 

Qualifications

• Introduction to Project Management, City University of London (2020)
• PhD in Social Anthropology, University of Edinburgh (2015)
• MSc(res) in Social Anthropology, University of Ediburgh (2010)
• BA(Joint Hons) Anthropology and Development Studies, Sussex University (2009)

Responsibility

• BSc Anthropology Programme Coordinator (2023-24)
• Departmental REF Impact Champion
• Recognised Programme Developer for the College
• Member of the Techne Peer Review College
• SPS Portfolio Refresh Coordinator for Anthropology, Development, and Geography. 
• Post Graduate Research Director (2022-23)
• Academic Misconduct Investigator (Department wide)
• NSS Steering Committee Member
• Department Management Board Member
• Divisional Lead for Alumni, Capabilities and Employability (ACE)
• Divisional lead for Web and social Media