Areas of Expertise

Sociocultural Anthropology, Power and Expertise, Maintenance and Repair Studies, Cultures of Speed and Moto-mobility, Design, Space, Place, United States

Teaching Interests

Dr. Milestone is a sociocultural anthropologist, with training in visual and urban anthropology, social theory, and ethnographic methods.  He is the program director for the Honors Interdisciplinary Minor in Science, Technology, and Society, and organizes Temple’s hosting of the annual Philly Zine Fest.  He has been a professional sailor of traditional wooden ships, mechanic in the US Air Force, commercial photographer, and now teaches courses in anthropology and intellectual heritage.  He is a graduate of the Temple University Provost’s Teaching Academy, and recently won the Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence in General Education, 2023-2024. 

Research

With interests in craftsmanship, social class, and materiality, he has most recently studied the status of maintenance and repair under the domination of heroic-entrepreneurial-innovation.  Specifically focusing on cultures of moto-mobility, Dr. Milestone has explored how custom motorcycle and car enthusiasts produce meaningful experiences through fixing, building, using, and discussing older, dirtier forms of technology. 

Representative Publications

“The Maintainer as Exotic Other.”  2017. Paper for The Maintainers Conference II 

“Anthropologist as Tribologist.”  2016.  Paper for The Maintainers Conference 

“What Will an Anthropology of Maintenance and Repair Look Like?”  2014. Panel for the American Anthropological Association Annual Conference, Washington D.C. 

“Design as Power: Paul Virilio and the Governmentality of Design Expertise.”  2007. Culture, Theory, and Critique.  

Education

PhD - Anthropology, Temple University, 2007.  Dissertation: “Universities, Cities, Design, and Development: An Anthropology of Aesthetic Expertise.” 

MA - Anthropology, Temple University, 2003 

BA - Anthropology, Eastern Washington University, 1998 

Associate - Spokane Falls Community College, 1995 

Journeyman - U.S. Air Force, 1994