Olga Kalentzidou

Olga Kalentzidou is an archaeologist whose work encompasses the interaction between geographical boundaries and human behavior. Her past research focused on the meaning and movement of material culture in Northeastern Greece and specifically the ways in which objects actively evoke historical memory and trigger individual remembrances.

Her latest research interests include the manner in which culinary and food traditions allow immigrants to negotiate their position in Greek society; how food insecurity impacts migrant and refugee communities, and other resource-strained groups; the effect of urban agriculture on food security; and assessment of student learning through community engagement.

Before joining the Department of Geography at Indiana University, she directed the Modern Greek Studies Program at West European Studies; served as associate director and director of undergraduate studies of the International Studies Major; and was director of academic initiatives and experiential learning at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies.

Kalentzidou received her B.A. from the University of Thessaloniki in Greece and her Ph.D. in anthropology from Indiana University.

Areas of Expertise

Immigration and ethnicity; food memory; identity; material culture; food security; Greece and the Balkans; community engagement; service-learning; experiential learning; teaching pedagogy; curriculum development.

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