Prof Geoffrey Samuel
Education and Qualifications
BA, Natural Science (Physics). Oxford 1967
Part III, Mathematical Tripos (Theoretical Physics). 1968
Certificate in Social Anthropology. Cambridge 1969
PhD in Social Anthropology. Cambridge 1975
Postgraduate Dipoma in Computer Science, Newcastle, Australia 1985
Career Overview
Temporary Lecturer, Social Anthropology, University of Manchester, 1972-73
Assistant Lecturer/Lecturer, Anthropology, University of Otago, New Zealand, 1973-1977
Senior Teaching Fellow, Humanities, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia, 1977
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor, Sociology and Anthropology, University of Newcastle, Australia, 1978-1994
Professor, Religious Studies, Lancaster University, 1995-1997
Professor, Social Sciences, University of Newcastle, Australia, 1997-2004
Professorial Fellow, Cardiff, 2004-
Teaching Profile
I have taught extensively at all levels on social and cultural anthropology (including anthropology of Buddhist societies, anthropology of South Asia, anthropology of religion, and anthropological theory) and religious studies (especially Buddhism)
I currently teach RT1217 Gender and Religion
Modules currently taught at Cardiff include RT1217 Religion and Gender and RT1347 Buddhism and Society. I am away in 2012-13.
PhD supervision
See Postgraduate Student tab at top of this page.
Awards and Major Grants
1989-91 Australian Research Council Project Grant for three-year field research project, ‘Politics and social order among Eastern Tibetans: an ethnographic study of values and social organization with special reference to the Gesar epic’ (total amount for 1989-91, A$98,844)
1994-96 Australian Research Council Project Grant for three-year field research project, ‘Creative synthesis in the therapeutic process: an ethnographic study of Tibetan healing and biomedicine.’ (jointly with Dr Linda Connor; total amount, A$141,000)
2002-3 Wilde Lectureship in Natural and Comparative Religion, University of Oxford. (My lectures were on ‘Indic Religions to 1200 AD: A Critical and Anthropological Approach.’)
2003-4 Leverhulme Visiting Professorship, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Aug. 2003 to May 2004
2005-7 Australian Research Council Discovery Grant for three-year field research project, ‘Muslims and Christians: Women, Religious Nationalism and Sustainability in the Asia-Pacific region.’ (jointly with Dr Santi Rozario and A/Prof Hilary Carey; total amount for 2005-7, A$125,104; resigned from grant after moving to UK but continued to be part of project)
2006-9 Arts and Humanities Research Council Research Grant for 3-year project, ‘Longevity Practices and Concepts in Tibet: A Study of Long-Life Practices in the Dudjom Tradition.’ (£205,801.)
2008-10 Economic and Social Research Council Research Grant for 3-year project, ‘The Challenge of Islam: Young Bangladeshis, Marriage and Family in Bangladesh and the UK’ (with Dr Santi Rozario). (£348,636.)
2008-11 Leverhulme Trust Grant for 3-year project, ‘Tradition and Modernity in a Bon-po Medical School and Hospital in West Tibet’. (£150,256.)
2010 University Buddhist Education Foundation Visiting Professor in Buddhist Studies, University of Sydney, July to October 2010
2012-13. Tung Lin Kok Yuen Visiting Professor in Buddhist Studies, Department of Humanities, University of Toronto Scarborough
Membership and External Activity
Co-editor, Asian Medicine: Tradition and Modernity
Vice-President, International Association for the Study of Traditional Asian Medicine
Board member, International Association for Tibetan Studies