Karen Tranberg Hansen taught in the Department of Anthropology and African Studies at Northwestern University from 1982 to 2012, when she retired. Most of her research as a socio-cultural anthropologist has been conducted in Zambia. Her research interests have focused on the informal economy, domesticity and domestic service, youth, and consumption. She lives permanently in Copenhagen, Denmark, and continues to work and write about issues related to urban life and consumption, especially especially dress and fashion in contemporary Africa. She is particularly interested in the clothing practices and everyday dynamics of dress and fashion performance.