Anthropology

At UNC Charlotte, the Anthropology department offers a wide range of research and teaching areas that highlight the university’s commitment to interdisciplinary and global perspectives. Here are some of the popular areas of research and notable faculty members in those areas:

Archaeology and Prehistory

• Luca Lai specializes in stable isotopes, Western Mediterranean prehistory, and human-environment interactions.
• Dennis Ogburn focuses on the archaeology of the Inca Empire and other conquest states in the New World.

Medical Anthropology

• Sharon Watson’s research interests include AIDS, community health, and health policy.
• Andrea Freidus examines volunteer tourism, international medical experiences, and health and human rights.

Cultural Anthropology

• Erin Eldridge explores political ecology, disasters, and development in the Appalachian South and Southeastern United States.
• Elise Berman studies communication, cultural reproduction, and socialization.

Biological Anthropology

• Lydia Light specializes in primate behavioral ecology, human evolution, and spatial ecology.
• Sara Juengst focuses on bioarchaeology, Andean archaeology, and the archaeology of community and identity.

Gender and Social Issues

• Kelly Finley’s research interests include feminist activism, women and work, and body image.
• Coral Wayland examines gender, medical anthropology, and methods in Brazil.

Human Evolution and Genetics

• Jonathan Marks is an expert in biological anthropology, human genetics, and human origins.
• Catherine Fuentes specializes in medical anthropology, violence against women, and health disparities.

These faculty members contribute to UNC Charlotte’s reputation as a research institution by conducting innovative research, publishing in prestigious journals, and engaging with local and global communities. Their expertise and dedication to teaching provide students with valuable knowledge and skills in the field of anthropology. UNC Charlotte’s Anthropology department is a hub of intellectual exploration and collaboration, making it an ideal choice for students interested in studying anthropology at a research-focused institution.