Zoe Nyssa

Dr. Zoe Nyssa is an esteemed Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the College of Liberal Arts, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. Her academic journey is marked by a profound dedication to applied anthropology, with a particular emphasis on the intricate dynamics of expert decision-making and technical cultures. Through her research, Dr. Nyssa delves into the complex interplay between knowledge practices and governance, exploring how these elements influence risk and justice distribution in contemporary society. Her methodological approach is both innovative and comprehensive, utilizing a blend of ethnographic and qualitative methods alongside computational social science techniques. This multifaceted strategy allows her to uncover nuanced insights into the anthropology of science and technology, particularly in the context of environmental and climate policy and practice. Dr. Nyssa's work is characterized by its interdisciplinary nature, bridging gaps between anthropology, governance, and environmental sciences. Dr. Nyssa's contributions to the field have been recognized through funding from a variety of prestigious organizations. Her academic career includes notable positions at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science and Harvard University, where she further honed her expertise and expanded her research horizons. Her collaborations with leading scientific and environmental institutions underscore her commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering impactful change. At Purdue University, Dr. Nyssa is actively involved in shaping the future of applied anthropology. She plays a pivotal role in developing the university's new Master’s track in Applied and Practicing Anthropology, a program designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to address real-world challenges. Her mentorship extends to advising graduate students on projects that explore expert and technical cultures, environmental science, and policy, nurturing the next generation of scholars and practitioners. Dr. Nyssa's scholarly endeavors are driven by a passion for understanding the complexities of human decision-making and governance in the face of environmental and technological challenges. Her work not only contributes to academic discourse but also seeks to inform policy and practice, ensuring that the distribution of risk and justice is equitable and informed by a deep understanding of cultural and technical contexts.