The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) has named Seth Murray as the head of the Department of Integrative Humanities and Social Sciences (IHSS).

Before his official appointment, Murray, an associate professor of international studies, served as the department’s interim head. Since joining CHASS in 2008, he has held several leadership positions in the department. They include serving as the inaugural director of undergraduate programs, director of the International Studies program for 12 years, and co-director of the Alexander Hamilton Scholars dual-degree program since 2010.

“Throughout his long tenure with IHSS (formerly Interdisciplinary Studies – IDS), Seth has demonstrated a clear commitment to the unit’s mission,” said Deanna Dannels, dean of the college. “His institutional knowledge, history, and firsthand experience with the programs, culture and community will be invaluable as we navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead. I have full confidence that he is the right person to lead the Department of Integrative Humanities and Social Sciences into a successful next chapter.”

Regarding his vision for the department, Murray emphasized collaboration and academic growth.

“My goals are to facilitate a culture of intellectual mutual aid and support, allowing our faculty and students to flourish,” said Murray. “IHSS already has so many existing strands of connectivity to a variety of scholarly enterprises; my vision is to enhance and amplify these opportunities for my colleagues.”

During his time at CHASS, Murray taught more than 80 undergraduate courses and three graduate seminars. He has also served on the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) Advisory Board since 2012, the college’s Strategic Planning Committee, and the university’s sustainability council, among numerous other committees.

Murray holds a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s degree in Basque studies from the Université Michel de Montaigne III in Bordeaux, France, and a master’s degree in archaeology from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and French from Baylor University.

An active scholar, Murray is the co-author of The Anthropology of Postindustrialism: Ethnographies of Disconnection and has written numerous book chapters and articles for various academic publications.