Debra L. Klein

I'm a cultural anthropologist, professor, and author. I've been teaching at Gavilan College in Gilroy, California for over two decades. A dedicated ethnographer, I've spent many years living and working in Nigeria, conducting long-term research with Yorùbá performing artists. During that time, I became proficient in the Yorùbá language and toured southwestern Nigeria as a dancer with a traveling troupe. My ethnography and articles offer rich insight into the lives, artistry, and perspectives of my collaborators.

Building on this foundation, my current writing turns inward. Textured with humor and grit, my novel-in-progress explores my personal transformation and adventures as a young woman navigating life in Nigeria. Through immersive storytelling, I invite readers to move beyond the familiar—to embrace discomfort, trust the unknown, and engage with narratives that deepen empathy and cross-cultural understanding.

My recent research in California's community colleges investigates the effects of nationwide disinvestment from public education. This work argues that a one-tiered faculty is essential for revitalizing both educational quality and California’s democratic promise of opportunity for all.

Raised by parents from New York, I grew up in Tampa, Florida. Based in California for over three decades, I draw inspiration from the wildness of the Pacific Ocean, the serenity of the redwood forest, and the majesty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.