Dr. Elizabeth Miles (Dr. Liz) is a cultural-social anthropologist whose research focuses on gender and sexuality. She is currently a faculty member in the Social Studies major at Fulbright University Vietnam. Through her experiences in research and teaching, Dr. Liz emphasizes the importance of gender equality in contributing to the education of future generations. She has also co-founded the Gender and Sexuality Studies minor at Fulbright to support this vision.
Dr. Elizabeth Miles (second from the right) received her Ph.D. from Yale University (USA), one of the world’s leading universities.
Inspiration and journey along with Social Studies
During her time living and teaching in Japan in the early 2000s, Dr. Liz observed and developed a deeper understanding of social dynamics, particularly the image of men in Japanese society. She noticed that the stereotypical media portrayal of Japanese men differed from reality, as they still dedicated considerable time to family care. This inspired her to explore the truths about gender in society.
Dr. Liz in a commemorative photo in Japan, where she spent a period of time working and conducting research.
Driven by this inspiration, Dr. Miles has dedicated her academic career to understanding complex social issues around gender and sexuality. As an anthropologist, her research primarily focuses on the Asian cultural context, particularly on how gender factors influence and interact with social development.
Goals and vision for the Gender and Sexuality Studies minor at Fulbright
As a key figure in launching the Gender and Sexuality Studies minor at Fulbright, Dr. Liz introduced a curriculum centered on global issues of gender equality and social justice. She shared, “The program was established to meet students’ interests in exploring social contexts through the lens of gender and sexuality.”
This minor aims to equip students with knowledge and critical thinking skills to address gender issues, applying gender theory to social projects. Additionally, Dr. Liz and other Fulbright faculty encourage students to critically engage with perspectives from diverse cultures, asking questions and contextualizing issues within Vietnam.
Dr. Liz participating in a performance with Fulbright students.
Dr. Liz illustrates Fulbright’s interdisciplinary approach with the student final project in the course “Disability and Culture.” Here, students conducted field research on the disabled community, applying knowledge and skills from psychology to observe and analyze the perspectives and behaviors of the subjects. This allowed them to gain a more multidimensional and empathetic view of people with disabilities. Students then used their social science knowledge to propose practical policy recommendations to support individuals with disabilities in life and work. This experience gave students the opportunity to combine multiple research methods and practice cross-disciplinary skills for real-world applications.
Views on gender equality progress
Dr. Liz shared, “I’ve noticed considerable progress in gender equality in Asia, particularly in Vietnam. For example, within family settings, there has been a shift toward shared domestic responsibilities between men and women.” Moreover, Dr. Liz underscores the importance of changing longstanding gender stereotypes in society. These stereotypes have limited many people’s abilities and aspirations, hindering them from expressing their true selves. She also encourages individuals to confidently pursue their passions without societal pressure, fostering a more diverse and equitable society.
She offers a message to young people interested in Social Studies at Fulbright and Fulbright’s liberal arts philosophy: “Don’t limit yourself—try stepping out of your comfort zone. Take advantage of Fulbright’s program to explore different fields and apply interesting research methods in your academic journey.”
Fulbright University Vietnam deeply appreciates the efforts and contributions of its faculty in shaping its curriculum and supporting the university’s growth. Fulbright is committed to providing progressive educational programs suited to the modern age, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in today’s dynamic world.
Phương Anh
