PALUMBO Berardino

Full Professor of Cultural Anthropology (M-DEA/01)
University of Messina – COSPECS Department

Scientific Profile
Cultural anthropologist with an established international profile in demoethnoanthropological studies (M-DEA/01). His research focuses on cultural heritage and patrimonialization processes, political anthropology of institutions, ritual and religion, mafia and power, and the history and theory of anthropology. His work combines long-term ethnography with theoretical innovation, contributing to international debates.

Current Position
Full Professor, University of Messina (since 2004)

Education
PhD in Ethnoanthropology, University of Rome “La Sapienza” (1992)
MA in Humanities (Anthropological curriculum), University of Rome “La Sapienza” (1984)

Research Projects (selected)
PI, PRIN 2017 (National Coordinator) – Migration, Displacement and Re-rooting (€1,003,901)
PI, PRIN 2015 (National Coordinator) – Eco-frictions in the Anthropocene (€354,322)
Participation in several PRIN projects (1997–2007)

Main Publications
Recent books include:
Where Saints Show Respect (Berghahn, 2026)
Piegare i Santi (Marietti 2020)
Lo sguardo inquieto (Marietti 2020)
Lo strabismo della DEA (Ed. Museo Pasqualino 2018/2021)
L'Unesco e il campanile (Meltemi 2003/2006)

Articles published in Comparative Studies in Society and History, Anthropological Quarterly, History and Anthropology, among others.

Research Experience
Extensive ethnographic fieldwork (Italy, Ghana, North America) focusing on: heritage and cultural policies, ritual and power, institutions and governance, Audit culture

Institutional roles and evaluation
ANVUR Expert Evaluator (GEV Area 11, VQR)
Member of National Scientific Qualification Committees (ASN 11/A5)
Member of ANVUR working groups

International Profile
Visiting Professor (EHESS, EPHE-Sorbonne, University of Lausanne)

Awards
Cassano Ionico Prize for Demo-ethnoanthropology (2015)