Harjant S. Gill

Harjant S. Gill

Associate Professor, Towson UniversityAAA Member Since 2004 | SVA Member Since 2004

“I’m an anthropologist because I’m driven by persistent curiosity and longing to make sense of the different worlds I inhabit. I make ethnographic documentaries in places and communities where I grew up, and I feel a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility to capture and preserve snapshots of my interlocutors’ lives. It’s a privilege to be able to play this role of chronicler of stories, and to participate in the shared process of collective memory-making. Anthropology necessitates that we set aside our fears of the unknown and our ambivalence towards the other, letting our courage and faith in humanity guide our inquiry. Anthropology is not only a courageous science, but also a compassionate one. The job of an ethnographer is to elucidate what is previously hidden and do so in creative ways that promote empathy and understanding. I am AAA.”