Kerkvliet was born and raised in Montana, surrounded by working-class relatives and friends for whom political discussion and debate were part of life.
He is currently doing research on local reactions to major recent national policies in the Philippines and Vietnam.
Kerkvliet taught Political Science and Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi from 1971 to 1991.
He has received various international fellowships and awards for research and teaching in Asia, Australia, Europe and America.
Most importantly, Kerkvliet enjoys working with industrious graduate students and living in and doing research in the Philippines and Vietnam.