Meet the Faculty: Scott Alves Barton

Dr. Scott Alves Barton is an Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Notre Dame, where he also serves as a faculty fellow in the Initiative for Race and Resilience. His work spans cultural anthropology, food studies, writing, and research on race, identity, and the politics of cultural heritage. Barton holds a Ph.D. in Food Studies from New York University and brings over 25 years of experience as an executive chef, culinary educator, and public scholar to his academic work. His research explores the intersections of sacred and secular foodways in Afro-Brazilian and African Diaspora communities, focusing on how cultural practices reflect identity, resistance, and community memory. He has published widely in academic and public forums, and his interdisciplinary work connects food, ritual, and cultural storytelling.