Daniel Jordan Smith

About the Author

Daniel Jordan Smith is a distinguished anthropologist and author whose work illuminates the intricate dynamics of social and cultural life in contemporary Africa. With a PhD from the University of Chicago, he has dedicated his career to exploring themes of corruption, trust, and everyday resilience in Nigerian society. As the William H. Hausman Professor of Anthropology at Brown University, Smith draws on extensive fieldwork to craft narratives that bridge academic rigor with accessible storytelling. His research has been supported by prestigious fellowships, including from the National Science Foundation and the Guggenheim Foundation, and he frequently contributes to public discourse on governance and development in Africa. Through his writing, Smith challenges readers to confront the complexities of power and morality in postcolonial contexts.