Kristyn Hara
Kristyn has more than 15 years of experience in higher education and holds a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley. Her doctoral research explored the entanglements between human and forest histories as they evolved as part of an urbanizing landscape at the ancient capital of Angkor, Cambodia. Her work, which was funded by sources including the Fulbright Program, National Geographic, and the Society for American Archaeology, mobilized archaeological data to explore local socio-ecological dynamics and the role of community-based institutions in forest management during the Angkorian Period. She also supported global research initiatives centered on the food-energy-water nexus within the context of hydropower development, climate change, and geopolitics in the Mekong region. In addition to her research engagements, Kristyn also taught courses as a stand-alone instructor in the Social Sciences Core at the University of Chicago.
Before joining Stanford Global Studies, Kristyn provided personalized instruction to 186 students at Stanford as a Thinking Matters Fellow and taught interdisciplinary courses on topics ranging from global risks to storytelling to the history of war. She also had the pleasure of advancing program operations and professional development initiatives as Program Coordinator for IntroSems Plus, a program in VPUE that provides underrepresented first-year students with quarter-long, mentoring-based research experiences. As part of her commitment to community building at Stanford, she also participated in the VPUE Inclusive Practices Working Group and volunteered to be a Stanford Newcomer Guide to support students transition to college life.
As a former Fulbright scholar, she has extensive international experience and is passionate about global education and its role in promoting human understanding and thriving. She is excited to be a part of the SGS team and to support its mission to advance global studies and drive outreach initiatives that engage and empower educators and students.
In her free time, Kristyn enjoys composing music, running, going on hikes to practice her photography skills, trying out new recipes, and being a human pillow for her two cats.