Daniel Bagheri Sarvestani

Daniel B. Sarvestani is an Indigenous rights specialist, researcher, and applied anthropologist with extensive academic and professional experience collaborating with diverse Indigenous communities, First Nation Peoples, and international organizations. Currently a Ph.D. Candidate in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Kansas, his research delves into intersections of cultural identity construction and Indigenous Peoples' Rights discourses among the Ch’orti Maya peoples of Honduras.

Over the years, Daniel has embarked on numerous fieldwork expeditions, immersing himself among various Indigenous Nations. His experiences include working with the Bakhtiyari tribes in West Asia (2014), the Bribri in Costa Rica (2015), First Nations communities in Canada, the Maya Ch’orti in Honduras (2017-2020), and Garifuna peoples (2022-2023). These immersive engagements have enriched his understanding of Indigenous issues, shaping his academic inquiry and advocacy efforts.

Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Development and Philosophy from the University of Guelph, and a Master of Arts in International Law & Human Rights from the UN Mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica. His master's research focused on the application of Human Rights law standards in advocating for Indigenous Nomadic Peoples of Western Asia. In addition, Daniel obtained a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous & Native American Studies in 2022, deepening his insights into Native American and First Nation issues.

As the instructor of ANTH102: Introduction to Anthropology, Daniel utilizes his interdisciplinary background to foster critical inquiry and promote cross-cultural understanding among his students. He remains dedicated to advancing the field of applied anthropology and advocating for marginalized voices worldwide through his scholarly pursuits and community involvement.

Expertise and Experience

During his tenure at the University of Kansas (2018-2023), Department of Anthropology, Daniel was an Instructor of Record, for ANTH 379/LAA 334: Indigenous Traditions of Latin America. He was also a Teaching Assistant, involved in supporting and teaching courses including ANTH 201: Culture and Health, and ANTH 160/360: Introduction to Anthropology/Varieties of Human Experience.

Employing diverse teaching methodologies, Daniel endeavors to actively engage students while encouraging critical thinking by applying anthropological theory to real-world scenarios. His approach to teaching is complemented by his experience in the field and the ability to engage with students in multiple cultural contexts and languages, including Spanish, English, and Persian.

Daniel's extensive fieldwork experiences, particularly his work as a Field-Researcher & Indigenous Rights Specialist, have provided him with valuable insights into working with diverse communities and advocating for indigenous rights. As a Cultural Anthropologist, with a specialization in international development, and Indigenous Peoples Rights, working in multicultural settings is second nature to him. He has a distinct expertise in areas of consultation, research, project coordination, and strategic planning geared towards promoting development goals in support of vulnerable communities. Daniel has advised on and drafted strategic development goals for Canadian NGOs and other international organizations in

support of Indigenous and vulnerable communities worldwide. In collaboration with local partner organizations and stakeholders, he has helped in coordinating projects funded by the European Union, USAID, and Global Affairs Canada. These experiences have equipped him with a nuanced understanding of the international development industry, community dynamics, and a commitment to decolonial and indigenous methodologies.

Publications and Scholarly Activity

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles:

• “Respectful Research: Working with Indigenous Peoples in Psychological, Anthropological and Cross-Cultural Sciences”, Online Readings in Psychology and Culture (December 2023), DOI: 10.9707/2307-0919.1186: https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/orpc/vol3/iss1/8/
• “La lengua Garífuna en Honduras. Evolución, transmisión e instrumento de resiliencia y resurgimientovcultural”, Tikkun Tinkuy(No.27)(July 2022): https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=8963192
• “Challenging Modernity: Indigenous Peoples Rights And The Reimagining Of Ethnic Identity”, Urban Anthropology and Studies of Cultural Systems and World Economic Development, VOL. 49(3, 4) (April, 2020):https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352715322_Challenging_Modernity_Indigenous_Peoples_Rights_And_The_Reimagining_Of_Ethnic_Identity

Published MA. Dissertation:

• “Human Rights and Nomadic People -A Case Study on Iranian Tribes”, UN University for Peace (July 2015): https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341026339_Human_Rights_and_Nomadic_People_-A_Case_Study_On_Iranian_Tribes

Online Publications:

• “INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE AGE OF COVID-19”, Intercontinental Cry (2020): https://intercontinentalcry.org/indigenous-peoples-in-the-age-of-covid-19/

Opinion pieces:

• “BERTA DID NOT DIE, SHE MULTIPLIED”, La Ruta del Clima (2017): https://climate4change.org/2018/03/20/opinion-berta-did-not-die-she-multiplied/
• “Indigenous People Battle To Counter The Effects of Climate Change In Honduras”, Climate for Change (2017): https://climate4change.org/2017/11/10/indigenous-people-battle-to-counter-the-effects-ofclimate-change-in-honduras/
• “Solidarity, Advocacy & The Importance of Listening”, Verge Magazine: https://www.vergemagazine.com/volunteer-abroad/blogs/2240-hearing-theworld.html
• “Hope and Hopelessness in Copán”, Verge Magazine: https://www.vergemagazine.com/volunteer-abroad/blogs/2547-hopeless-and-hopein-copan.html
• “The Circle of Healing”, Verge Magazine (2017): https://www.vergemagazine.com/volunteer-abroad/blogs/2039-women-s-rightsand-access-to-justice.html

Section of Published Podcast Episodes:

• Interview with Dr. Catherine Richardson: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (2023-10-15): https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-dizsw-14d0e4a
• Interview with Mo Zabian, Queer at Heart Podcast Host (2022-07-10): https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-f3g9f-126dcd3
• Structural racism, colonialism and coloniality - Interview with Glenn Adams (2021-08-03): https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-b6htu-10a68b7
• Interview with Dr. Catherine Richardson: Colonialism, Coloniality and Healing (2021- 12-12): https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-8fm36-11539d1

Awards

1. 2024 Sherman and Irene Dreiseszun Scholarship, Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Foundation
2. 2022 Carroll D. Clark Summer Graduate Research Award, Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Anthropology, University of Kansas.
3. 2021 Charles Stansifer Fellowship Award, for outstanding research on Latin American and Caribbean Studies from The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, University of Kansas.
4. 2020 & 2021 Tinker Field Research Grant, Field-Research Grant by Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, University of Kansas.
5. 2020 Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Foundation Award, for outstanding research towards social policy.
6. 2019-2020 Cohort, IPSR Doctoral Research Fellow with The Institute for Policy & Social Research
7. 2019 Felix Moose Award for outstanding applied Anthropology.
8. 2019 Kwok Leung Award, for contribution to International Association for Cross Cultural Psychology.
9. 2019 Gil Kushner Memorial Award, towards excellence in study of culture change/persistence.

Daniel B. Sarvestani | LinkedIn