Anthropologist Dr. Maya Patel shares her journey of conducting long-term research in five countries over two decades, from studying indigenous communities in Peru to documenting social movements in Indonesia. We explore how deep immersion in multiple societies as both researcher and resident transformed her academic perspective and personal identity. The episode examines the unique position of being simultaneously observer and participant in various cultures, and how her research focus evolved as she gained deeper cross-cultural understanding. Special attention is given to how living through political transitions in different countries shaped her view of social change and human adaptation.

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