Eriksen, Thomas Hylland (1962-2024)

Thomas Hylland Eriksen (1962–2024), who referred to himself as an “anthropologist and writer”, was professor of social anthropology at the University of Oslo (Norway). In Oslo, he studied sociology, philosophy and social anthropology, concluding with a PhD in social anthropology (in 1987), based on his fieldwork in Mauritius (1986). He also did fieldwork in Trinidad (1989), in his own country, as well as in Australia (2016). After working for the Peace Institute in Oslo for a year, he joined academia in 1991. His discussions about globalization, ethnicity, identities and environment shaped anthropology in the late 20^th and 21^st century. He was also an engaged anthropologist and was vocal about social and political issues. His work was, in his own words, “motivated by a triple concern: to understand the present world, to understand what it means to be human, and to help bring about social and environmental change”. Thomas H. Eriksen was the author of over 50 books, member of the Norwegian Academy of Sciences, and the recipient of numerous awards reflecting the import of his place in the history of anthropology and the social sciences.

Keywords: Social anthropology | Philosophy | Sociology | Environment | History of Anthropology | Norway | Mauritius | Caribbean | Trinidad | Australia | Globalization | Ethnicity | Nationalism