About Us

Dr. Singh Faculty Spotlight Q&A

Dr. Holly Singh is a new faculty member in the Honors College and enjoys leading courses in Fertility and the Future and Histories of Healing in South Asia. One of her favorite things about her area of study in anthropology is fieldwork, which she describes as visiting places and talking with people that might seem ordinary and boring, but are actually full of insights into life. Check out the question-and-answer below to learn more about Dr. Singh.

1) What is your educational/research background?
I got interested in social sciences as a meandering student of the liberal arts. In college, I majored in Religious Studies and also did an interdisciplinary concentration in Asian Studies. Studying abroad in India set me on my path toward my academic work and a Ph.D. in Anthropology.

2) What is your favorite area of study/research?
One of my favorite things about my area of study is fieldwork. In my work, that means visiting places and talking with people that might seem ordinary and boring, but are actually full of insights into life if you're paying attention. Fascinating stories can come from hanging out in the waiting room of a doctor's office, sharing a cup of chai, or waiting for the cafeteria to open. I also enjoy films and literature in Hindi and Urdu, which are the languages I use most often in my work in India.

3) How many years have you been working in the Honors College?
This is my first semester at the Honors College, and I'm new to Florida.

4) What are the classes you teach in the Honors College?
Right now, I'm teaching two classes in the Honors College: Fertility and the Future and Histories of Healing in South Asia. As time goes on, I'll teach other classes in Medical Humanities.

5) What is your favorite class that you teach at the Honors College?
I find Fertility and the Future to be a very exciting class because current events always keep the issues fresh and relevant. We talk about lots of issues relating to gender and reproduction around the world and across human history.

6) What is one lesson you want all of your students to take away from studying your course?
Learning to listen, to observe, and then to ask good questions are crucial skills for building successful communities in the future.

7) What do you like about being a faculty member in the Honors College?
I get to share time and space with wonderful students and colleagues.

8) What activities do you like to do for fun when you're not teaching in the Honors College?
I enjoy doing yoga, cooking, and hanging out with friends and family. I'm always looking for suggestions of fun things to do in the Tampa Bay area.

9) Are there any other insights about you that you would like to add?
I lived in one place in rural western Pennsylvania until I was 18, and I've been on the move ever since. I'm looking forward to getting to know more people in the Honors College community!