Jeffrey H. Cohen

(MENAFN- The Conversation)

• Professor of Anthropology, The Ohio State University

Profile Articles Activity

I am a cultural anthropologist and my research focuses on foodways, migration, economics and research methodology, with work in the U.S., Mexico, Turkey and China.

"Eating Grasshoppers," my new ethnography from University of Texas Press (available September 2025), explores the cultural, economic and culinary significance of chapulines (toasted grasshoppers) in Oaxaca, Mexico. Through immersive fieldwork and anthropological analysis, I highlight how these edible insects are a symbol of tradition, resilience and sustainability. Chapulines are a vital source of income for women vendors and a window into 3,000 years of culinary heritage. Rooted in voices of the woman who produce them, "Eating Grasshoppers" reveals how food embodies identity, pride, and innovation. I'd love to share this journey with you and your followers.

Since the early 1990s I have studied migration from communities in Oaxaca, Mexico to the U.S. with support from the National Science Foundation. In collaboration with Professor Ibrahim Sirkeci, we have developed a model of insecurity and migration. I also conduct comparative research on global migration patterns.

Experience

• –present Professor of Anthropology, The Ohio State University

Education

• 1994 Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, PhD/Anthropology
• 1987 University of New Mexico, MA/Anthropology
• 1984 Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, BA

Publications

• 2025 Eating Grasshoppers: Chapulines and the Women who Sell Them, University of Texas Press
• 2019 Modelando el transnacionalismo: Nuevas Direcciones en Teorías de Migración , Transnational Press
• 2016 Conflict, Insecurity and Mobility, Transnational Press
• 2015 Eating Soup without a Spoon: Anthropological Theory and Method in the Real World, University of Texas Press
• 2012 Global Remittance Practices and Migration during the Economic Crisis and Beyond., World Bank Press
• 2011 The Cultures of Migration: The Global Nature of Contemporary Mobility, University of Texas Press
• 2004 The Culture of Migration in Southern Mexico, University of Texas Press
• 2002 Economic Development: An Anthropological Approach, AltaMira Press
• 1999 Cooperation and Community: Economy and Society in Oaxaca, University of Texas Press

Grants and Contracts

• 2022 Fulbright Specialist Role: specialist Funding Source: Fulbright Commission
• 2020 Household Producer Effects of Rural Diet Transformation Role: PI Funding Source: National Science Foundation
• 2015 Migration to Turkey: the socio-cultural choices of returning movers. Role: In residence, Celal Bayar University Funding Source: TUBITAK
• 2015 Mid-Career and Senior Faculty Learning Community Role: group member Funding Source: UCAT-OSU
• 2014 Oportunidades: Understanding the Growth of the Latino Community in Columbus, Ohio Role: research directory Funding Source: OHHP
• 2013 Society for Economic Anthropology Conference Proposal Role: Co-PI Funding Source: National Science Foundation
• 2009 Mexicanidad in Ohio Role: PI Funding Source: Sigma Xi
• 2008 Entrepreneurism among Somali women in Columbus, Ohio. Role: PI Funding Source: National Science Foundation
• 2007 Migration, Transnationalism, and Border Politics Role: Co-PI Funding Source: Institute for Collaborative Research and Public Humanities, working group grant
• 2004 Chapulines: the socioeconomic and nutritional importance of grasshoppers in rural Oaxaca, Mexico Role: PI Funding Source: National Geographic Society
• 2003 The Construction and Reconstruction of Identities: Dominican Immigrants and their Children in New U.S. Destination Communities Role: Co-PI Funding Source: Russell Sage Foundation
• 2003 Garcia Robles, Fulbright Scholar Role: PI Funding Source: Fulbright Commission
• 1999 Transnational Migration and Remittances: a Longitudinal Study of Rural Oaxaca Role: PI Funding Source: National Science Foundation

Professional Memberships

• Society for Applied Anthropology
• Academic Engagement Network

Honours

College Diversity Award; Member, University Center for Academic Teaching; Sustaining Fellow, Society for Applied Anthropology

MENAFN17092025000199003603ID1110074279