Maria Eugenia Bozzoli

María Eugenia Bozzoli is an anthropologist, sociologist, and human rights advocate who shattered barriers to become Costa Rica’s first female anthropologist. Bozzoli’s work is defined by her defense of the rights of ethnic minorities, efforts for the recognition, respect, and tolerance of cultural diversity, and her advocacy for conservation and sustainable use of the natural environment. 

María’s aptitude for understanding the social issues of the nation’s Indigenous population placed her in an instrumental position to work with and advise various Costa Rican government institutions. Bozzoli is the recipient of a Fulbright fellowship and has been named professor emerita at the University of Costa Rica. In 2000 and 2001 successively, she was awarded the Bronislaw Malinowski Award followed by the Magón National Prize for Culture.