Dr Anna Portisch
BA (Sussex), MA, PHD (London)
Overview
Department of Anthropology and Sociology
Research Associate
- Name:
- Dr Anna Portisch
- Email address:
- ap48@soas.ac.uk
- Fax:
- +44 (0)20 7898 4699
Biography
My research interests concern the anthropology of Central and Inner Asia, particularly the Kazakh population in Mongolia; apprenticeship; skill-based knowledge; craft production and material culture; and anthropological, cognitive and philosophical approaches to learning and knowledge.
Teaching
Research
I completed my doctoral research from SOAS in 2007. This research explores learning processes and skill-based knowledge in Kazakh women’s domestic textile production. The research is based on a year’s fieldwork and apprenticeship with a Kazakh family in the western-most province of Mongolia, Bayan-Ölgii aimag.
Most recently I've completed an ESRC postdoctoral fellowship, based at Brunel University, where I've also lectured on a postgraduate course on anthropological and psychological perspectives on learning. In addition, I've recently curated an exhibition for the Brunei Gallery, SOAS, entitled Kazakh Craftswomen of Mongolia's 'Rich Cradle'.
Expertise
For help in contacting SOAS academics and advice on services to business and the community, please contact SOAS Enterprise on +44(0)20 7898 4837 or email enterprise@soas.ac.uk.
For all press and media enquiries please call +44 (0)20 7898 4956/4135 or email comms@soas.ac.uk
Available for
Regional Expertise
Country Expertise
Languages
Publications
Articles
Froerer, Peggy and Portisch, Anna (2012) 'Introduction to Special Issue: Learning, Livelihoods and Social Mobility.' Anthropology & Education Quarterly, 43 (4). pp. 332-343.
Portisch, Anna and Ustav-Francis, Bulbul (2012) 'A Wall Hanging for the Firstborn.' Steppe (9). pp. 60-61.
Portisch, Anna (2012) ''Like Unbroken Cream': Education and Livelihoods amongst the Kazakh of Western Mongolia.' Anthropology & Education Quarterly, 43 (4). pp. 385-399.
Portisch, Anna (2011) 'Social and economic uses of animal wool and hair in western Mongolia.' Études Mongoles & Sibériennes, Centrasiatiques & Tibétaines (EMSCAT) . (Forthcoming)
Portisch, Anna (2010) 'Kazakh felt, western Mongolia.' Felt Matters, 98 . pp. 18-19.
Portisch, Anna (2010) 'The craft of skilful learning: Kazakh craftswomen of western Mongolia.' Making Knowledge: Special Issue of the Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 16 (s1). pp. 62-79.
Portisch, Anna (2010) 'The Kazakh of western Mongolia.' Discovery Central Asia: Central Asian people and their traditions, 29 . pp. 30-35.
Portisch, Anna (2009) 'Techniques as a window onto learning: Kazakh women’s domestic textile production in western Mongolia.' The Journal of Material Culture, 14 (4). pp. 471-493.
Portisch, Anna (2009) 'Forty houses should forbid the girls: Bride-kidnapping amongst the Kazakh of western Mongolia.' Newsletter of the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) (51).
Portisch, Anna (2009) 'The portrait: Kazakh embroidered wall hangings.' Newsletter of the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), 52 . p. 48.
Portisch, Anna (2007) 'La technicité dans la beauté : Vivre et apprendre l'esthétique dans une yourte kazakh.' Reseau Asie online journal .
Book Reviews
Portisch, Anna (2011) 'Review of Alexander C Diener, 'One homeland or two? The nationalization and transnationalization of Mongolia’s Kazakhs'.' Inner Asia, 12 . pp. 381-384.
Portisch, Anna (2010) 'Review of Irina Y. Morozova, 'The socialist revolution in Mongolia'.' Newsletter of the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), 53 . p. 34.
Portisch, Anna (2009) 'The metamorphosis of heads: Textual struggles, education and land in the Andes.' Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute (JRAI), 15 (3). pp. 670-671.
Other
Portisch, Anna (2006) 'Skilful Craftswomen of the ‘Rich Cradle’: Kazakh domestic crafts production in western Mongolia.' Material World blog.
