Damian Oakes, MDP, MA

PhD Student

Cultural Anthropology

Damian Oakes is an Anthropology PhD student specializing in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Florida focusing on human migration, maritime anthropology, and youth and mobility. His research seeks to understand local perceptions of and responses to Spain-Africa Strategy Document (2025-2028) relating to irregular migration, utilizing ethnography, participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Damian serves as a Committee Member of UF's Ethnography Lab, member of the Sahel Research Group, and member of the Serra Lab.

Areas of Specialization

  • Human migration
  • Anthropology of Youth
  • Maritime Anthropology

Chair

Courses Taught

List of courses taught and their teaching role.
TA = Teaching Assistant
Course Title Role
ANT 2000 - General Anthropology  Instructor of Record
ANT 2410 - Cultural Anthropology  Instructor of Record
SPC 2608 - Intro to Public Speaking Instructor of Record
IDS 2935 -​ Wealth and Poverty in Today’s World Instructor of Record
ANT 3451 - Race and Racism TA
ANT 4931 - Capstone in Anthropology TA

Education

    • Ph.D. Anthropology, University of Florida, In Progress
    • Master of Sustainable Development Practice (MDP), University of Florida, 2024
    • M.A. Interpreting and Translation, University of Pretoria, 2015
    • B.A. (Hons) French, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2010
    • B.Soc.Sc. Political Science & French, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008

Publications & Profiles

Publications (ORCiD)
LinkedIn