Gloria C. Pérez-Rivera (Founder and Co-Lead)

Gloria is a sociocultural anthropologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology & Anthropology at MRU. She is founder and co-lead of the lab.

Gloria’s research and teaching integrates political and economic anthropology with migration studies, labour studies, justice & peace studies and critical criminology, with transnational projects in Colombia and Canada. Gloria teaches Introduction to Anthropology, Ethnographic Methods, and Gifts and Commodities, among other courses in anthropology. Gloria completed a PhD and postdoctoral fellowship in anthropology, following a first career as an emergency room doctor in Colombia.

Email: gperezrivera@mtroyal.ca

George Mantzios (Co-Lead)

George is a sociocultural anthropologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology & Anthropology at MRU.

George’s research examines how contested national monuments and major infrastructure projects become sites of struggle over historical justice, collective memory, and cultural heritage, with a focus on contemporary Greece. At MRU, George teaches a variety of courses including Ethnography in Anthropology and History of Anthropology. He is also Associate Director of the Pelion Summer Lab for Cultural Theory and Experimental Humanities, an interdisciplinary program in Greece that brings together artists, scholars, and activists to experiment with new modes of knowledge-making.

Email: gmantzios@mtroyal.ca

Celeste Pang (Co-Founder)

Celeste is an Assistant Professor in Women’s & Gender Studies at MRU. Celeste completed a PhD in sociocultural and medical anthropology, with a specialization in sexual diversity studies, from the University of Toronto.

Celeste’s research, teaching, and community work concentrate on aging, disability, and care access and equity, with significant focus on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues. Celeste teaches Transnational Feminisms, 2SLGBTQI+ Health, among other courses in women’s & gender studies. Prior to joining MRU, Celeste worked as a community-based researcher at a national organization, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto.

Reanna Varga (Student Member)

Reanna is in her fourth year pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education, majoring in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership.

Reanna completed a practicum placement in Spring/Summer 2025 in which she conducted qualitative research on experiences of students with disabilities in outdoor education. Reanna also supports knowledge mobilization for the lab.