Carwil Bjork-James

Carwil Bjork-James conducts immersive and historical research on disruptive protest, grassroots autonomy, state violence, and indigenous collective rights in Bolivia. The scene of large indigenous-led grassroots uprisings in the early twenty-first century, Bolivia offers an unusual opportunity to document the practices and political influence of grassroots movements during a period of massive participation in political life, reorientation of national politics, and restructuring of the state.

Carwil previously worked as an environmental rights advocate supporting indigenous communities affected by oil drilling in Colombia, Nigeria, and Alaska. His work on protest and social movement dynamics builds on years of experience as a participant in mass movements for peace and justice, trainer in nonviolent direct action, and international solidarity campaigner. He is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Vanderbilt University.