Jeffrey H. Cohen

13

Articles

15

Comments

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

Contact Jeffrey for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision