Quick Info
| Profession | Cultural Anthropologist, Assistant Professor |
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| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | XX/XX/1980 |
| Birthplace | United States |
Latest News about Tamar Shirinian
30/06/2026
The University of Tennessee reached a $1.9 million settlement with Tamar Shirinian after she was fired over her comments about Charlie Kirk. The agreement does not restore her to her former position, and court reporting indicated both sides were expected to finalize the paperwork by late August 2026.
18/03/2026
Chancellor Donde Plowman of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville terminated the employment of Assistant Professor Tamar Shirinian after a Facebook comment she made about Charlie Kirk drew public backlash. Shirinian had earlier been placed on administrative leave and said she would pursue a federal lawsuit claiming violations of her First Amendment rights.
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Bio/Wiki
| Summary | Tamar Shirinian is a cultural anthropologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research focuses on kinship, power, sexuality, sovereignty, and postsocialism, drawing on queer studies, feminist theory, critical theory, and psychoanalysis. She is also engaged with political and creative work in the Republic of Armenia. |
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Educational Qualification(s)
| PhD | Cultural Anthropology, Duke University (2016) |
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| MA | Cultural Anthropology, Duke University (2016) |
| BA | University of California, Berkeley |
Personal Life
| Engagement | Active in the Republic of Armenia; engaged with queer, psychoanalytic, anti-colonial, and Marxian thought. |
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Career
| Current Position | Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville |
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| Past Affiliations |
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| Notable Events | Placed on administrative leave in 2026 following controversy over a Facebook comment regarding Charlie Kirk; termination proceedings initiated by the university. Terminated from employment by Chancellor Donde Plowman in March 2026. Pursuing a federal lawsuit against the university for First Amendment violations, with a federal trial scheduled for early 2027. |
Favourites
| Theoretical Frameworks |
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Social Media
| Academia.edu | https://utk.academia.edu/TamarShirinian |
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| YouTube | Multiple interviews and conversations, including 'Survival of a Perverse Nation' |
| https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamar-shirinian-6745a5292 |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Her work explores the connections between sexuality, gender, intimacy, and political economy. | |
| 2. She is a contributor to 'Mediapolis – a journal of cities and culture' and 'Agitate Journal'. | |
| 3. She co-hosts the 'Other Armenias' podcast. | |
| 4. Her research and teaching philosophy emphasize vulnerability to new ideas and problems. |