In the landscape of contemporary sociology, few voices have resonated as powerfully, as consistently, and as globally as that of Prema Ann Kurien.
Prema Ann Kurien: Rooted in Kerala, Shaped Across Continents
Prema Kurien’s story begins in the lush, culturally rich state of Kerala, India, where early exposure to diverse communities planted the seeds of curiosity that would one day grow into her academic calling. Her formal path into the social sciences took shape at Women’s Christian College in Chennai, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1983.
She deepened her academic foundations at the Delhi School of Economics, completing her master’s degree in sociology in 1986—a period that sharpened her interest in understanding communities, inequities, and the social forces that bind people together or pull them apart.
The next leap would be transformative.
Moving to the United States, she entered Brown University, earning her M.A. in 1989 and her Ph.D. in 1993. It was here that her intellectual identity began to crystallize, and her lifelong pursuit of studying migration and identity took its full form.
Carving Her Path as a Global Scholar
Armed with world-class training, Prema Kurien stepped into academia with purpose and determination. Her early teaching roles—including appointments at Knox College, Chapman University, and later the University of Southern California—refined her approach to blending rigorous research with human stories.
In 2003, she joined Syracuse University, where she continues to shape minds as a professor of sociology and, since 2024, as the Daicoff Faculty Scholar at the Maxwell School. Under her leadership, the university’s South Asia Center flourished during her tenure as director, strengthening global scholarship and bridging communities across continents.
Prema Ann Kurien: A Scholar Redefining Migration, Religion, and Ethnicity
Kurien’s contribution to global sociology is nothing short of pioneering. Her research challenges traditional assumptions, urging the world to rethink migration not as a one-way journey but as a transnational experience shaped by global forces, cultural identities, and evolving religious practices.
Her Books: Milestones in Global Migration Studies
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Kaleidoscopic Ethnicity (2002)
A groundbreaking exploration of Malayali migrants in the Gulf, this award-winning book questioned homogeneous ideas of “Indian” identity and unveiled how faith, region, and community shape migrant experiences. It earned the 2003 Asia/Asian America Book Award from the American Sociological Association. -
A Place at the Multicultural Table (2007)
A profound look at how Hindu traditions evolve in the American immigrant context—bridging faith, diaspora, and identity. -
Ethnic Church Meets Mega Church (2017)
An illuminating study of Indian American Christianity and the complex ways in which faith adapts in multicultural settings. -
Claiming Citizenship (2025)
Her newest work explores how race, religion, and politics influence the civic journeys of New Americans—a powerful and timely contribution.
Each book adds new layers to the understanding of global citizenship, identity reconstruction, and the social transformation brought about by migration.
A Career Defined by Excellence and Recognition
Across three decades, Prema Ann Kurien’s scholarship has earned global respect. Her accolades include:
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Daicoff Faculty Scholar Award (2024–2027)
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Multiple career awards, article awards, and book awards
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The Sandra Barnes Anti-Racist Scholarship Award (2023)
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The Appleby Mosher Faculty Awards (2021–2023)
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Numerous NSF and NEH research recognitions
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Prestigious fellowships from Carnegie Corporation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Princeton University, and the Woodrow Wilson Center
She has also offered her expertise to major scholarly bodies, including the National Science Foundation Dissertation Panel, the American Sociological Review editorial board, and the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, where she served as president in 2021.