Short CV

Zane Kripe is a PhD candidate at the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology of Leiden University, researching geek culture and ideas about technological futures in Southeast Asia, in particular Singapore and Indonesia. Her PhD research project is part of the NWO funded project 'Towards a Comparative History of Digital Futurities'. She holds an MSc in Media Technology (Leiden University) and BA in Political Science (Riga Stradins University). 

Research

Her PhD research focuses on what it means to be a geek in contemporary Southeast Asia, in order to understand the various experiences and aspirations linked to the unfolding of the so-called digital revolution. Following the geek quest of building 'Asian technology for Asia' and the 'Silicon Valleys of Southeast Asia', she examines the position of geeks in Southeast Asia in relation to state, economy and globalization.

Geeks form an non-governmental and non-activist elite group, yet they play an important role in the development plans of the societies. Zane researches what the future will look like for them. By focusing on popular forms of gathering, such as BarCamps and Hackerspaces, Zane researches the ways in which the young technology enthusiasts try to influence and create their own futures.

Zane's research interests also include the theoretical and practical consequences that arise from online ethnography, on which she has taught the course ‘Anthropology of Information Society’ at Leiden University.

Relevant links

• Leiden Anthropology Blog: Zane Kripe

• Research blog Rendering Futures

• Studying Futurities

Publications

• Kripe Z. (2011)  The making of Southeast Asian silicon valleys: the perspective of the geeks. In:  The Newsletter, International Institute of Asian Studies, 58: 14-15.

Publications