With profound sadness, the International Institute of Love and Relationship Studies shares the news of the passing of William (Bill) R. Jankowiak on July 19, 2026.

William Jankowiak (1956–2026), a distinguished figure in anthropology, significantly influenced our understanding of love, intimacy, and family structure across cultures. His innovative research, which challenged Western-centric assumptions about interpersonal relationships, substantially contributed to the anthropology of intimacy and established the cross-cultural study of love as a legitimate field of anthropological research. He was a pioneering figure whose lifelong work demonstrated that romantic love is not a unique Western cultural construct but rather a fundamental, cross-cultural experience present across diverse societies worldwide.

Colleagues in anthropology, international research networks, and public media have published tributes honoring his life, his generous mentorship, and his monumental scholarly achievements.

The Diversity of Love Journal has published a full tribute article titled Tribute to William Jankowiak: A Pioneer in Cross-Cultural Anthropology of Love, where you can read more about his landmark cross-cultural studies, his immersive fieldwork in urban China, his exploration of the dynamics of plural love and families, and personal reminiscences from his colleagues and peers.