harvard phd anthropology

• Utility Menu

• Internal Resources
• EDIB Committee

Archaeology

The principal objectives of the graduate program in archaeology are to provide:

• Informed, critical examinations of core issues in archaeology 
• Comprehensive training in principal methods and theories of anthropologically oriented archaeology 
• Direction and support for Ph.D. candidates preparing for research and teaching positions in a wide variety of domains of archaeological practice. 

In addition to a primary area of specialization, all students are expected to acquire a basic understanding of archaeology around the world as well as general knowledge of those aspects of ethnography, and biological anthropology that have particular relevance to their area(s) of interest in archaeology. 

In certain cases, joint programs of study in archaeology and either biological anthropology or social anthropology can be arranged. The expectation is that the student will be able to complete the program in six years. 

Each student will have faculty advisors whose research interests overlap with those of the student. For the first four semesters student’s progress will be overseen by an Advisory Committee, normally consisting of three archaeology faculty members. After the fourth semester, a dissertation committee will be formed based on the student's domain(s) of specialization. 

The progress of each student will be assessed annually by the archaeology program faculty, and this appraisal will be communicated to the candidate. An overall B+ average is expected of the student. Ordinarily no student whose record contains an Incomplete grade will be allowed to register for the third term (semester) following receipt of the Incomplete. 

• Admissions Information
• Coursework - Archaeology
• Languages - Archaeology
• Fieldwork - Archaeology
• Teaching - Archaeology
• Advisory Meetings - Archaeology
• General Examination & Qualifying Paper - Archaeology
• Dissertation Prospectus - Archaeology
• Dissertation Committee & Defense - Archaeology
• Master of Arts - Archaeology
• Social Anthropology
• MA Medical Anthropology
• Secondary Fields
• Fellowships
• Teaching Fellows
• Program Contacts
• PhD Recipients

• Harvard University
• Provost's Office
• Vice Provost for International Affairs
• One Harvard, One World
• Worldwide Week at Harvard
• Administrative Support
• The World at Harvard
• Harvard in the World
• Join Us at Harvard

Harvard Worldwide

Ph.d. in anthropology and middle eastern studies.

The joint program in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies is designed for students interested in enriching their program of study for the Ph.D. in Anthropology with firsthand knowledge about the Middle East based on literacy in its languages and an understanding of its political and economic realities, its culture and traditions.

Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs

Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Campus Center

1350 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, Massachusetts 01238 USA

• Accessibility  

Human Evolutionary Biology

Undergraduate Program

The concentration in Human Evolutionary Biology (HEB) provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to investigate and answer questions about who we are, how we got here, and what makes us unique. Research in human evolutionary biology is increasingly influencing medical science, economics, linguistics, psychology, and political science, and HEB concentrators learn how to use an evolutionary perspective to help solve real world problems.

Harvard’s Department of Human Evolutionary Biology is one of the world’s leading programs to study the fundamental question “How did evolution make humans the way they are?” Our program evolved from the subfield of biological anthropology (sometimes called evolutionary anthropology), but we are more than that because we address issues in human evolutionary biology by bringing together and integrating scholars and students engaged in many fields of research relevant to our core question including:​ anatomy and physiology of primates and humans; primate and human behavior and ecology; molecular, developmental, and population genetics and genomics; and paleontology and the physical record of primate and hominin evolution.

FALL COURSE REGISTRATION  is open through August 29. Explore courses today.

Anthropology Degree Requirements

The  Master of Liberal Arts, Anthropology degree field is offered online with 1 on-campus requirement at Harvard University. Weekend on-campus courses are available.

Getting Started

Explore admissions & degree requirements.

• Course curriculum and the on-campus experience
• Admissions: eligibility and earning your way in
• Completing your degree

Begin Your Admissions Path This Fall

Enroll in your first admission course. Registration is open July 22–August 29.

Learn how to register →

Required Course Curriculum

Online core and elective courses

On-campus Engaging in Scholarly Conversation course

Capstone or thesis

12 Graduate Courses (48 Credits)

Many of our anthropology offerings focus on identity and social justice, making it an ideal option for professionals in the fields of education, community development, public service, public health, NGOs, as well as management and diversity, inclusion and belonging.

As part of the program curriculum, you pursue either a thesis or capstone track. You can further customize the program by choosing the anthropology and elective courses that meet your learning goals.

The primarily synchronous online format ensures real-time engagement with faculty and peers.

Required Core & Elective Courses View More

• SSCI 100A Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
• 4 anthropology courses
• 1 anthropology seminar
• This 4-credit requirement is fulfilled by completing 2 two-credit Active Learning Weekends or 1 three-week summer course.
• EXPO 42b Writing in the Social Sciences is an elective option.

Browse Courses →

Thesis Track View More

The thesis is a 9-month independent research project where you work one-on-one in a tutorial setting with a thesis director.

You enroll in the following additional courses for the thesis track:

• ANTH 497 Crafting the Thesis Proposal in Anthropology Tutorial
• ANTH 499AB ALM Thesis in Anthropology (8 credits)

Recent Thesis Topics:

• Maya Vase Rollout Photography’s Past, Present, and Potential in a Cross-Discipline Digital Future: A Proof-of-Concept Study
• When Witches Mourn the Dead: Grieving Rituals of Contemporary Witchcraft in New England
• From Memes to Marx: Social Media as the New Frontier of Ruling Class Dominance

Capstone Track View More

The capstone track focuses on a capstone project and includes the following additional courses. You choose between two precapstone and capstone topic areas.

• 1 anthropology elective
• SSCI 597B Identity Precapstone: Theory and Research
• SSCI 599B Identity Capstone: Bridging Research and Practice
• GOVT 597A Precapstone: Strategies to Advance Social Change
• GOVT 599A Social Justice Capstone: Equity and the Struggle for Justice

Capstone experience. First, in the precapstone, you gain foundational preparation through critically analyzing the scholarly literature. Then, in the capstone, you execute a semester-long research project with guidance and support from your instructor and fellow candidates.

Capstone sequencing. You enroll in the precapstone and capstone courses in the same topic, in back-to-back semesters (fall/spring), and in your final academic year. The capstone must be taken alone as your sole remaining degree requirement. Capstone topics are subject to change annually.

Recent Capstone Topics:

• Addressing Sexism in Video Game Culture: Empowering Female Players through a Mobile Application for Inclusivity, Visibility, and Support
• Bermuda Wrecks Conservation Through Public Archaeology, Technology and Ease of Access: The “Bermuda Wrecks” Smartphone Application
• Advocating for Healthy Habits in the Digital Age of Education

Optional Graduate Certificate View More

You can choose to concentrate your degree studies to earn a Social Justice Graduate Certificate along the way.

Harvard Instructor Requirement View More

For either the thesis or capstone track, 8 courses (32 credits) of the above courses need to be taught by instructors with the Harvard-instructor designation. The thesis courses are taught by a Harvard instructor.

On Campus Experience

Choose between the accelerated or standard on-campus experience.

Learn and network in-person with your classmates.

Nearly all courses can be taken online, but the degree requires an in-person experience here at Harvard University where you enroll in Engaging in Scholarly Conversation (ESC).

Join your fellow degree candidates for this interactive course that highlights the importance of true graduate-level analysis by training you in the skills of critically engaging the scholarly literature in your field of study.

Choose between two on-campus experience options:

• Accelerated on-campus option: ESC is offered in two, 2-credit Active Learning Weekends. We strongly advise you complete the two weekends in the same academic year with same instructor (part one in fall and part two in spring).
• Standard on-campus option: ESC is offered in one 3-week Harvard Summer School session. This option is ideal for those who want a more traditional on-campus experience. HSS offers, for an additional fee, housing, meal plans, and a prolonged on-campus experience here at Harvard University. Learn more about campus life at Harvard .

You register for ESC after completing the proseminar with a grade of B or higher and prior to either the Crafting the Thesis Proposal tutorial or the precapstone to support your final research project. Ordinarily, students wait until they are officially admitted before enrolling in this requirement, as it does not count as one of the three, 4-credit courses required for admission.

You have two attempts to earn the required grade of B- or higher in ESC. A withdrawal grade (WD) counts as an attempt.

Whether working on a paper at one of the libraries or shopping at the Harvard Coop, I always felt like I belonged.

On attending Engaging in Scholarly Conversation in the active learning weekend format.

International Students Who Need a Visa View More

To meet the on-campus requirement, you choose the Standard on-campus option and study with us in the summer. You can easily request an I-20 for the F-1 student visa for Harvard Summer School’s 3-week session. For more details, see International Student Study Options for important visa information .

In-Person Co-Curricular Events View More

Come to Cambridge for Convocation (fall) to celebrate your hard-earned admission, Harvard career fairs offered throughout the year, HES alumni networking events (here at Harvard and around the world), and, of course, Harvard University Commencement (May).

Confirm your initial eligibility with a 4-year bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent.

Take three courses in our unique “earn your way in” admissions process that count toward your degree.

In the semester of your third course, submit the official application for admission to the program.

Below are our initial eligibility requirements and an overview of our unique admissions process to help get you started. Visit the Degree Program Admissions page for more details.

Initial Eligibility View More

• Prior to enrolling in any degree-applicable courses, you must possess a 4-year regionally accredited US bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. Foreign bachelor’s degrees must be evaluated for equivalency.
• If English is your second language, you’ll need to prove English proficiency before registering for a course. We have multiple proficiency options .

Earning Your Way In — Courses for Admission View More

To begin the admission process, you simply register — no application required — for the following three, 4-credit, graduate-level degree courses (available online).

These prerequisite courses are investments in your studies and help ensure success in the program. They count toward your degree once you’re admitted; they are not additional courses.

• Before registering, you’ll need to pass our online test of critical reading and writing skills or earn a B or higher in EXPO 42b Writing in the Social Sciences.
• You have 2 attempts to earn the minimum grade of B in the proseminar (a withdrawal grade counts as an attempt). The proseminar cannot be more than 2 years old at the time of application.
• 1 Anthropology course
• 1 Anthropology course or elective (e.g., EXPO 42b)

While the three courses don’t need to be taken in a particular order or in the same semester, we highly recommend that you start with the proseminar (or the prerequisite EXPO 42b). All three courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher, without letting your overall Harvard cumulative GPA dip below 3.0.

Applying to the Degree Program View More

During the semester of your third degree course, submit the official application to the program.

Don’t delay! You must prioritize the three degree courses for admission and apply before completing subsequent courses. By doing so, you’ll:

• Avoid the loss of credit due to expired course work or changes to admission and degree requirements.
• Ensure your enrollment in critical and timely degree-candidate-only courses.
• Avoid the delayed application fee.
• Gain access to exclusive benefits.

Eligible students who submit a complete and timely application will have 9 more courses after admission to earn the degree. Applicants can register for courses in the upcoming semester before they receive their grades and while they await their admission decision.

Prospective ALM students can expect acceptance into the program by meeting all the eligibility and academic requirements detailed on this page, submitting a complete application, and having no academic standing or conduct concerns.

The Office of Predegree Advising & Admissions makes all final determinations about program eligibility.

Search and Register for Courses

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) offers degree courses all year round to accelerate degree completion.

• You can study in fall, January, and spring terms through Harvard Extension School (HES) and during the summer through Harvard Summer School (HSS).
• You can enroll full or part time. After qualifying for admission, many of our degree candidates study part time, taking 2 courses per semester (fall/spring) and 1 in the January and summer sessions.
• Most fall and spring courses meet once a week for two hours, while January and summer courses meet more frequently in a condensed format.

Completing Your Degree

Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Complete your courses in five years.

Earn your Harvard degree and enjoy Harvard Alumni Association benefits upon graduation.

Required GPA, Withdrawal Grades, and Repeat Courses View More

GPA. You need to earn a B or higher in each of the three degree courses required for admission and a B– or higher in each of the subsequent courses. In addition, your cumulative GPA cannot dip below 3.0.

Withdrawal Grades. You are allowed to receive two withdrawal (WD) grades without them affecting your GPA. Any additional WD grades count as zero in your cumulative GPA. See Academic Standing .

Repeat Courses. We advise you to review the ALM program’s strict policies about repeating courses . Generally speaking, you may not repeat a course to improve your GPA or to fulfill a degree requirement (if the minimum grade was not initially achieved). Nor can you repeat a course for graduate credit that you’ve previously completed at Harvard Extension School or Harvard Summer School at the undergraduate level.

Courses Expire: Finish Your Coursework in Under Five Years View More

Courses over five years old at the point of admission will not count toward the degree. As stated above, the proseminar cannot be more than two years old at the time of application.

Further, you have five years to complete your degree requirements. The five-year timeline begins at the end of the term in which you complete any three degree-applicable courses, regardless of whether or not you have been admitted to a degree program.

Potential degree candidates must plan accordingly and submit their applications to comply with the five-year course expiration policy or they risk losing degree credit for completed course work. Additionally, admission eligibility will be jeopardized if, at the point of application to the program, the five-year degree completion policy cannot be satisfied (i.e., too many courses to complete in the time remaining).

Graduate with Your Harvard Degree View More

When you have fulfilled all degree requirements, you will earn your Harvard University degree: Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Anthropology. Degrees are awarded in November, February, and May, with the annual Harvard Commencement ceremony in May.

Degree Candidate Exclusive Benefits View More

When you become an officially admitted degree candidate, you have access to a rich variety of exclusive benefits to support your academic journey. To learn more, visit degree candidate academic opportunities and privileges .

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

Comparative Literature

Share this page.

Harvard’s Department of Comparative Literature is one of the most dynamic and diverse in the country. Its impressive faculty has included such scholars as Harry Levine, Claudio Guillén, and Barbara Johnson. You will study literatures from a wide range of historical periods and cultures while learning to conduct cutting-edge research through an exhilarating scope of methods and approaches.

Your dissertation research is well supported by Harvard’s unparalleled library system, the largest university collection in the world, comprising 70 libraries with combined holdings of over 16 million items.

Recent student dissertations include “Imagined Mothers: The Construction of Italy, Ancient Greece, and Anglo-American Hegemony,” “The Untimely Avant-Garde: Literature, Politics and Transculturation in the Sinosphere (1909-2020),” and “Artificial Humanities: A Literary Perspective on Creating and Enhancing Humans from Pygmalion to Cyborgs.”

In addition to securing faculty positions at academic institutions such as Princeton University, Emory University, and Tufts University, graduates have gone on to careers in contiguous fields including the visual arts, music, anthropology, philosophy, and medicine.  Others have chosen alternative careers in film production, administration, journalism, and law.

 Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Department of Comparative Literature and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies .

Admissions Requirements

Please review the admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Department of Comparative Literature .

Writing Sample

The writing sample is supposed to demonstrate your ability to engage in literary criticism and/or theory. It can be a paper written for a course or a section of a senior thesis or essay. It is usually between 10 and 20 pages. Do not send longer papers with instructions to read an excerpt; you should edit the sample so that it is not more than 20 pages. Writing samples should be in English, although candidates are permitted to submit an additional writing sample written in a different language.

Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose should give the admissions committee a clear sense of your individual interests and strengths. Applicants are not required to indicate a precise field of specialization, but it is helpful to tell us about your aspirations and how the Department of Comparative Literature might help in attaining these goals. The statement of purpose should be one to four pages in length.

Personal Statement

Standardized tests.

GRE General: Optional GRE Subject: Optional

Theses and Dissertations

Theses & Dissertations for Comparative Literature

See list of Comparative Literature faculty

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

• Utility Menu

GA4 Tracking code

• Connect with Us
• PhD Program in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies

Admissions to the PhD in Anthropology and MES has been paused and will not be accepting applications for fall 2024.

The joint program in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies is designed for students interested in enriching their program of study for the PhD in Anthropology with firsthand knowledge about the Middle East based on literacy in its languages and an understanding of its cultural traditions. As a student in an interdisciplinary program you are a full member of the Department of Anthropology cohort, but also have an intellectual home at CMES and access to CMES faculty, facilities, and resources.

Students in the joint PhD Program in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies fulfill all the  requirements for the PhD in Social Anthropology  in addition to the language and area studies requirements established by the Committee on Middle Eastern Studies.

Language Requirements

Each student must demonstrate a reading knowledge of one of the following European languages: German, French, Italian, or Russian. This requirement may be fulfilled either by a departmental examination or by satisfactory completion of two years of language study. The student must also demonstrate a thorough knowledge of a modern Middle Eastern language: Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish. Depending on the student’s specialization, another Middle Eastern or Islamic language (e.g., Kurdish, Urdu) may be substituted with the approval of the Committee on Joint PhD Programs. The expectation is that the student learn the languages necessary to teach and work in his or her chosen field.

Program of Study in Anthropology and MES

The graduate program in social anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies requires a minimum of sixteen half-courses, three of which are in Middle Eastern history, economics, religion, or political science, and twelve of which are in anthropology. The twelve required anthropology half-courses include the proseminar “History and Theory of Social Anthropology” (2650a and b); a half-course on the ethnography of one’s area of specialization is recommended but not required. A half-course in archaeology is recommended but not required. First-year students must attain at least a B+ in each half of the proseminar.

A list of current Middle East–related courses is available on this site at the beginning of each semester ; the Anthropology Department courses are available at my.harvard.edu .

Social anthropology PhD candidates are required to take written and oral examinations toward the end of their third term of study. Candidates must pass these examinations before they may continue their PhD work. More details are available in the Department of Anthropology’s  Program Guidelines for students .

Dissertation

The dissertation prospectus must be read and approved by a committee of three faculty members no later than the end of the third year. The dissertation will normally be based on fieldwork conducted in the Middle East, or in other areas of the world with close cultural ties to the region, and should demonstrate the student’s ability to use source material in one or more relevant Middle Eastern languages. Satisfactory progress of PhD candidates in the writing stage is determined on the basis of the writing schedule the student arranges with his or her advisor.

Timeline for Student Progress and Degree Completion

• Coursework: One to three years.
• Examinations: General exams must be passed by the end of the second year of study.
• Dissertation Prospectus: Must be approved by the end of the third year.
• Dissertation Defense and Approval: The candidate’s dissertation committee decides when the dissertation is ready for defense. The doctorate is awarded when the candidate passes a defense of the dissertation.
• Graduation: The program is ideally completed in six years.

For more details on these guidelines, see the Middle Eastern Studies section  of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS) Policies site and the Department of Anthropology’s guidelines for PhD students in social anthropology . Admissions information can be found in the Applying to CMES  section of this site and on the Harvard Griffin GSAS website .

• Applying to CMES
• Concurrent AB/AM Program
• PhD Program in History and Middle Eastern Studies
• PhD Program in History of Art and Architecture and Middle Eastern Studies
• Recent PhD Dissertations
• Funding for PhD Students
• Middle East-related Courses
• Harvard Griffin GSAS Policies

Anthropology Courses

• Social Sciences

CitiesX: The Past, Present and Future of Urban Life

Explore what makes cities energizing, amazing, challenging, and perhaps humanity’s greatest invention.

Tangible Things

Gain an understanding of history, museum studies, and curation by looking at, organizing, and interpreting art, artifacts, scientific curiosities, and the stuff of everyday life.

Join our list to learn more

Get the Reddit app

A subreddit dedicated to PhDs.

Is a PhD from Harvard worth it?

I’m currently an undergrad in the Us looking into completing a PhD. I am considering getting a PhD at Harvard. However, I’m wondering if Harvard holds the same pedigree when it comes to grad schools.

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue

Featured Topics

Featured series.

A series of random questions answered by Harvard experts.

Explore the Gazette

Read the latest.

An Olympics first

University Disability Resources celebrates Disability Pride

Brian Lee to step down as VP for alumni affairs and development

Davis center names 2005-06 award winners.

Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies has announced the recipients of its 2005-06 fellowships, prizes, research travel grants, and internships.

A total of eight postdoctoral and senior fellowships have been awarded for research at Harvard in the humanities and social sciences on Russia and the Soviet successor states. The recipients, including their affiliations and research projects, are listed below:

Postdoctoral fellowships have been awarded to Jessica Allina-Pisano (political science, Yale) for a study on land privatization in post-Soviet Russia and Ukraine; Julia Bekman Chadaga (Slavic languages and literature, Harvard) for research on the role of glass in the history of modern Russia; Elise Giuliano (political science, University of Chicago) for work on ethnic minority nationalism in Russia; Anna Krylova (history, Johns Hopkins University) for research on women in combat in Russia, 1930s-1980s; and Niccolo Pianciola (history, Scuola Europea Di Studi Avanzati, Italy) for an investigation into colonization and genocide in Central Asia, 1906-1941.

Inna Naroditskaya (musicology, University of Michigan), assistant professor at Northwestern University, was awarded a senior fellowship for research on gender and class in Russian theater under the 18th century female monarchs; Alena Ledeneva (political science, University of Cambridge), reader at University College London, received a senior fellowship to work on informal practices in Russian society, economics, and politics in the 1990s; and Marek Nekula (Czech studies, University of Regensburg), professor and chair of Czech studies at the University Regensburg, Germany, was awarded a senior fellowship to conduct research on Prague monuments and national discourse.

Dissertation completion fellowships have been awarded to Kelly O’Neill (history) for her study of the incorporation of the Crimean khanate into the Russian empire, 1783-1853; and to Benjamin Tromly (history) for his dissertation on the formation of younger generations of the postwar Soviet intelligentsia.

Recipients of the Fainsod Prize, awarded to top incoming graduate students in the field of Russian, Soviet, or post-Soviet studies, include Maya Peterson (history), who plans to pursue research on Russian and Central Asian social history; Maxim Pozdorovkin (Slavic languages and literatures), whose interests center on the “Silver Age” of Russian literature; Sabrina Ana Peric (social anthropology), who intends to study the connection between reconstructed space and notions of community in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Ana Olenina (comparative literature), whose research will explore interrelated nuances of the post-Soviet and postcolonial experience; and Benjamin Sharma (regional studies: Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia), who plans to study post-Soviet political transformations.

A total of 25 graduate students received research travel grants from the Davis Center. Their names, departments or schools, research topics, and destinations appear below:

Abby & George O’Neill Graduate Research Travel Grants were awarded to Ladan Akbarnia (history of art and architecture), “Chinoiserie and Chinese Influence on the Portable Art of Iran and Central Asia from the 13th to 15th Centuries,” Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, St. Petersburg; Marcus Alexander (government), “Fairness, Cooperation and Punishment after Ethnic War: A Field Experiment in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Bosnia and Herzegovina; Erdin Beshimov (Russian, East Europe and Central Asian studies [REECA]), “The Dynamics of Democratization in Post-Soviet Georgia: Structure vs. Agency,” Tbilisi, Georgia; Yelena Biberman (REECA), “The Rising Generation of Belarusian, Ukrainian, and Russian Policy-makers: Political and Economic Ideological Trends,” Lviv, Kiev, Minsk, St. Petersburg, Moscow; Fotini Christia (public policy), “How and Why Interethnic Alliances Were Formed During the Bosnian War, 1992-1995: Views of Military Personnel and Politicians from All Three Ethnic Groups,” Herzegovina and Central Bosnia; Jacob Emery (Slavic), “Soviet Kinship and Connections to Bely and Olesha,” Moscow; Magnus Feldmann (political economy and government), “Labor Politics, Unemployment, and Post-Socialist Transition,” Estonia and Slovenia; Simone Ispa-Landa (sociology), “Trends and Causes of the Recent Decline in Traditional Nuclear Family Formation Patterns in the Russian Federation,” Moscow and Tomsk; Hakyung Jung (Slavic), “Historical Development of Historical Short Forms of the Past Active (-vshi) and Past Passive Participles (-no/-to) in Northwest Russian Dialects,” Moscow and Novgorod; Diana Kudayarova (history), “Labor Market Choices of Soviet White-Collar Workers, 1947-1964,” Moscow, Ufa, and Ekaterinburg; Nataliya Kun (Slavic), “Educational Practices of Soviet and Post-Soviet Epoch Curricula in Russian Literature,” Moscow; Kyongjoon Kwon (Slavic), “The Historical Development of Animacy in Early Novgorodian,” Novgorod; Stanislav Markus (government), “Institutional Convergence and Property Rights: The Westernization of Corporate Governance in Transition Politics,” Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk, and Tyumen; Clara Masnatta (comparative literature), Serbian language study, Serbia; Inna Mattei (Slavic), “Literary Canon and Post-Soviet Identity in Russia,” Moscow; Stephanie Miller (REECA), “Eldercare in Ukraine and Alternatives to State-Sponsored Systems of Care,” Dnipropetrovsk, L’viv, Kiev (honorary award); Lauren Rivera (sociology), “Case Study of National Identity in Croatia: How It Presents Its Culture and History to Foreigners in Response to the Stigmatizing Effects of War,” Croatia; Eren Tasar (history), “Muslim Life in Soviet Central Asia,” Tashkent and Ashgabat; Benjamin Tromly (history), “Formation of the Younger Generation of Soviet Intelligentsia in the Period after World War II,” Moscow, Kiev, and Saratov; Emily Van Buskirk (Slavic), “Lydia Ginzburg’s Later Years (1950-1990): Historicism and the Problem of Self-Realization,” St. Petersburg and Moscow; Cristina Vatulescu (comparative literature), “Historic Relocation of Romanian Securitate Files to the Council for the Study of Securitate Archives,” Romania; Olga Voronina (Slavic), “The Post-War Ideological Shift in Russia and the Origin of Stalin’s Cultural Policy in the Cold War,” Moscow and St. Petersburg; Leslie Wittmann (REECA), “Comparative Study of Business Strategies of BP, Royal Dutch/Shell, and Exxon/Mobil in Russia,” Moscow; and Gergana Yankova (government), “The Relative Importance of Political Scandals, Compared to Economic Factors, in Public Support for the Government in Bulgaria and Russia,” Bulgaria and Russia.

One graduate student was awarded a REECA Alumni Research Travel Grant: Sue Sypko (REECA), “Identity Conceptualizations of Kazakhs Outside of Kazakhstan and their Influence on the Decision to Move,” Russia, China, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.

Two Harvard College students received Goldman Undergraduate Research Travel Grants for thesis research during summer 2005. They are James Honan-Hallock (history), “The Russian Academy of Sciences Expedition to the Caucasus, 1770-1773, led by J.A. Gueldenstaedt,” St. Petersburg and Moscow; and Ian McConnell (social studies), “The Experiences and Perceptions of Bosnian Serb Refugees who Reside in Serbia,” Serbia. One Goldman grant was awarded to Wellesley College student Dorottya Mozes (philosophy and English), “A Comparative Study of Dostoevsky’s and Nabokov’s Appropriation of St. Petersburg, and the Impact of the City on Their Art and Thought,” St. Petersburg.

Finally, the Andrei Sakharov Program on Human Rights has awarded two summer internships to Harvard College students to work in Russian human rights organizations. The recipients are Clay Kaminsky (linguistics), who will work at the Center of Journalism in Extreme Situations in Moscow, and Christine Zuzek (government and economics), who will work at the Civic Assistance Committee in Moscow.

Share this article

You might like.

First-year fencer makes history as member of all-Harvard squad in Paris

Investments and realignment of resources creates greater access for Harvard community members

‘Champion of Harvard and our mission’ will depart at end of calendar year

The way forward for Democrats — and the country

Danielle Allen is more worried about identity politics and gaps in civic education than the power of delegates

Good genes are nice, but joy is better

Harvard study, almost 80 years old, has proved that embracing community helps us live longer, and be happier

Between bright light and a good mood, plenty of sleep

Researchers outline path to lower risk of depression

• OU Homepage
• The University of Oklahoma

Graduate Program

Graduate Anthropology Program Overview

Anthropology has been taught at the University of Oklahoma since 1905 and became its own department in 1927. Celebrated faculty like Morris Opler and Robert Bell established the Department as a leader in the scholarly study of Native North America. In addition to a continued focus on Native North America with research specilizations in the southwest, southeast, and plains of North America, the Department maintains a stong emphasis on Latin America, complemented by individual faculty interests in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Graduate students receive rigorous training in the four sub-fields of anthropology: sociocultural, archaeological, biological, and linguistic.  

With twenty-seven full-time professors and about fifty graduate students, graduate students receive personalized attention from faculty mentors while benefitting from the resources of a large research university. The program pages below detail specific relationships and opportunities at internal and external institutions. Our graduates have been successful in securing tenure-track academic jobs as well as positions in cultural resource management, museums, and government agencies.  Individual faculty  are happy to provide more information on their research and on the anthropology graduate program as it relates to your subdiscipline of interest.

Financial support usually consists of half-time graduate assistantships, typically as a grader for an undergraduate class or research assistant for a faculty member. Ph.D. and advanced M.A. students may teach their own classes with opportunities for both in-person and online formats. We fund M.A. students for a maximum of two years and doctoral students for a maximum of four years beyond the M.A. degree. Our students have also been successful in obtaining external funding. For information on tuition and fees, visit the  Bursar's Office .

Back to top  

Degrees & Courses

We offer an M.A. in Anthropology, an M.A. in Anthropology with a concentration in Linguistics, an M.A. in Anthropology with a concentration in Socio-Cultural Anthropology, an M.A. in Applied Medical Anthropology (non-thesis) and an accelerated BA in Anthropology/MA in Anthropology with a concentration in Socio-Cultural Anthropology. We currently offer a PhD in Anthropology with concentrations in Archaeology, Socio-Cultural Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology, and Human Health and Biology (HHB). Archaeology concentration students without an M.A. and HHB students applying on an M.A. terminal track or as a precursor to a Ph.D. in HHB degree should apply to the M.A. in Anthropology.

  Graduate Degrees

  Graduate Courses

Graduate Student Handbook

The Anthropology Graduate Student Handbook is an invaluable tool for MA and PhD students and their advisors, as well as prospective students. It provides a helpful roadmap for the details and requirements of each degree program.

Anthropology Graduate Student Handbook (pdf)

Graduate Program Requirements

Required courses, [# hours]; total = 30 credit hours

A student must take ANTH 5001 Professionalization in Anthropology [1 credit]

• ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought (core) [3 credits]
• ANTH 5363 Linguistic Anthropology (core) [3 credits]
• ANTH 6633 Theory and Method in Biological Anthropology (core) [3 credits]
• ANTH 6713 Archaeological Theory (core) [3 credits]
• Electives as approved by the Graduate Liaison and Advisor [15-18 credits]
• Thesis [2-5 credits]

The M.A. in Anthropology requires 30 credit hours, including three core classes, elective seminars, and 2-5 hours of thesis credits. Please see the OU course catalog for a list of anthropology courses.

Anthropology Current & Upcoming Courses

Graduate College Bulletin

MA Anthropology Degree Checksheet

Candidacy and Committee Requirements

Admission to candidacy is required the term before a student expects to defend their thesis (the first Monday in October for Spring graduation; the first Monday in April for Fall graduation). Anthropology has specific candidacy forms available at the Graduate College website .

M.A. committees are composed of three members of the graduate faculty in the Department of Anthropology. Please work with relevant faculty to determine an appropriate committee, keeping in mind that there may be specific limitations you need to consider in forming your committee. When you file a list of your committee members with the department's Graduate Liaison, be sure to verify that any specific limitations have been met.

Required courses, [# hours]; minimum total = 30 credit hours

A student must complete these two core classes in Socio-Cultural Anthropology, and receive at least a B:

• ANTH 5123 Contemporary Culture Theory [3 credits]
• ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought [3 credits]

A student also must take one of the following core classes. Usually the Linguistics core is recommended, but the decision about which core class to take should be done in consultation with the student's Advisor. A minimum of a B is required:

• ANTH 5363 Linguistic Anthropology [3 credits]
• ANTH 6633 Method and Theory in Biological Anthropology 3 credits]
• ANTH 6713 Archaeological Theory [3 credits]

A student must complete one of the Research Methods courses:

• ANTH 5153 Ethnography of Communication [3 credits]
• ANTH 5213 Ethnographic Methods [3 credits]
• ANTH 5253 The Anthropology of Communities [3 credits]
• ANTH 5433 Ethnographic Writing [3 credits]
• ANTH 5513 Applying Anthropology to Contemporary Social Problems [3 credits]

Finally, the student must take

• Electives as approved by the Graduate Liaison and Advisor [12-15 credits]

The M.A. in Anthropology with a Concentration in Socio-Cultural Anthropology requires 30 credit hours, including three core classes, a Research Methods class, elective seminars, and 2-5 hours of thesis credits. Please see the OU course catalog for a list of anthropology courses. If you would like to view this specific Degree Sheet, you can find it below. 

MA Sociocultural Anthropology Degree Sheet

The accelerated Anthropology B.A. + M.A. in Sociocultural Anthropology is designed for academically successful undergraduate anthropology majors with an interest in sociocultural anthropology. The combined B.A. + M.A. degrees are designed to be finished in five years, with undergraduate coursework completed at the end of year three of the program. Students accepted into the program begin taking graduate-level coursework during their senior year. Requirements for the B.A. are the same as those of the standard B.A. in Anthropology, with 13 “shared” hours counting towards both the B.A. and M.A. degree requirements. The M.A. degree includes a thesis, giving students an opportunity to conduct original in-depth research.

Required courses, [# hours]; total = 137 credit hours (combined degree)

13 shared hours count as both Graduate and Upper-Division credit. 

Undergraduate Major Requirements (Anthropology coursework) [36 credits total]

Some courses required for the major may also fulfill University General Education and/or Dodge College of Arts & Sciences Requirements.

o   ANTH 2203 Global Cultural Diversity [3 credits]

o   ANTH 2303 General Linguistics [3 credits]

o   ANTH 3113 Principles of Archaeology [3 credits]

o   ANTH 3203 Introduction to Biological Anthropology [3 credits]

o   ANTH 3011 Anthropology Cornerstone I: Introduction to the Major [1 credit]

o   ANTH 3021 Anthropology Cornerstone II: Research and Writing [1 credit]

o   ANTH 3031 Anthropology Cornerstone III: Professionalization [1 credit]

o   ANTH 4113 Anthropology Capstone [3 credits]

o   Anthropology Electives [18 credits]

Graduate Requirements [30 credits total]

All students must take the following core courses, and receive at least a B:

o   ANTH 5001 Professionalization in Anthropology (shared) [1 credit]

o   ANTH 5123 Contemporary Culture Theory (shared) [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought (shared) [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5363 Linguistic Anthropology [3 credits]

o   ANTH 6633 Method and Theory in Biological Anthropology [3 credits]

o   ANTH 6713 Archaeological Theory [3 credits]

Research Methods (3 required credit hours)

Choose from:

o   ANTH 5153 Ethnography of Communication [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5213 Ethnographic Methods [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5253 The Anthropology of Communities [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5433 Ethnographic Writing [3 credits]

o   ANTH 5513 Applying Anthropology to Contemporary Social Problems [3 credits]

Thesis (2-5 credits required)

o   ANTH 5980 Research for Master’s Thesis [2-5 credits]

Electives (12-15 hours required)

Electives coursework is selected in consultation with the student's advisor and committee. No more than 6 hours from outside Anthropology may be applied. (3 hours shared)

Please see the OU course catalog for a list of anthropology courses. If you would like to view this specific Degree Sheet, you can find it below.

BA+MA Sociocultural Anthropology Degree Sheet

• ANTH 5001 Professionalization in Anthropology [1 credit]
• ANTH 5053 Morphology [3 credits]
• ANTH 5153 Ethnography of Communications [3 credits]
• ANTH 5363 Linguistic Anthropology [3 credits] and receive at least a B.
• ANTH 5980 Research for Master's Thesis [2-5 credits]

The M.A. in Linguistic Anthropology requires 30 credit hours, including four required classes, 15-18 hours of elective seminar credits, and 2-5 hours of thesis credits. Please see the OU course catalog for a list of anthropology courses. Please consult the Graduate Bulletin, which is updated annually on the Graduate College website, for more general requirements and limitations. If you would like to view this specific Degree Sheet, you can find it below.

MA Linguistic Anthropology Degree Sheet

* This program is Non-Thesis only

Required courses, [# hours]; total = 34 credit hours

A student must take the following Core classes in Anthropology, and receive at least a B:

• ANTH 5123 Contemporary Culture Theory [3 credits] 
• ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought [3 credits] 
• ANTH 6633 Method and Theory in Biological Anthropology [3 credits] 
• ANTH 6843 Foundations of Bio and Medical Anthropology [3 credits] 
• Or an alternative as approved by the student's Chair and Committee [3 credits]

A student must also take one of the following Ethnographic Methods courses:

• ANTH 5213 Ethnographic Methods [3 credits]
• ANTH 5253 The Anthropology of Communities [3 credits]

A student must complete one of the following Statistical Methods courses:

• ANTH 4713 Statistical Concepts in Anthropology (taken for Graduate Credit) [3 credits]
• BSE 5163 Biostatistical Methods I (HSC course)
• HES 5963 Statistical Applications in Health and Exercise Science [3 credits]
• SOC 5283 Fundamentals of Sociological Statistics [3 credits]
• Or alternative as approved by the student's Chair and Committee [3 credits]

A student must also complete one of the following Culture and Health courses:

• ANTH 5323 The Anthropology of Aging [3 credits]
• ANTH 5393 Anthropology and the Health of Indigenous People [3 credits]
• ANTH 5643 Psychiatric Anthropology [3 credits]
• ANTH 5823 Medical Anthropology [3 credits]

Finally, a student must complete each of the remaining courses:

• ANTH 5001 Professionalization in Anthropology [1 credit]
• ANTH 6310 Internship in Applied Medical Anthropology [6 credits]
• Elective coursework selected in consultation with the student's Chair and Committee [3 credits]

Please see the OU course catalog for a list of anthropology courses. Please consult the Graduate Bulletin, which is updated annually on the Graduate College website, for more general requirements and limitations. If you would like to view this specific Degree Sheet, you can find it below.

MA Applied Anthropology Degree Sheet

There are three tracks in the Ph.D. Program in Anthropology: Archaeology, Human Health and Biology, and Sociocultural and Linguistic Anthropology. Beyond the 30 credits required for the M.A. (including the core classes if they have not been previously taken), these tracks generally require an additional 30 hours of coursework and 30 hours of dissertation research. There are specific additional required courses within each track. Please see the lists below for a summary of this information.

General exams are to be completed in (or immediately following) the last term of formal coursework as detailed on the Advisory Committee Report. Following successful completion of the exams, students complete 30 hours of dissertation research credits.

Ph.D. committees must consist of at least three members of the graduate faculty in the Department of Anthropology (with one from outside the student’s primary subfield) and one faculty member from outside the Department but within the University. Please work with relevant faculty to determine an appropriate committee. There may be specific limitations you need to consider in forming your committee. When you file a list of your committee members with the department's Graduate Liaison, be sure to verify that any specific limitations have been met. Various forms are also available through the  Graduate College website .  A list of current and upcoming courses and individual degree checksheets can be found below.

Sociocultural and Linguistics Ph.D. 

Required courses, [# hours]; total = 90 credit hours

•  ANTH 5001 Professionalization in Anthropology [1 credit]
•  ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought (core) [3 credits]
•  ANTH 5363 Linguistic Anthropology (core) [3 credits]
•  ANTH 6713 Archaeological Theory (core) [3 credits] OR ANTH 6633 Method and Theory in Biological Anthropology [3 credits]
• ANTH 6223 Community Engaged Anthropology [3 credits]
• ANTH 5433 Ethnographic Writing [3 credits]
• ANTH 5543 Research Design [3 credits]
• ANTH 6980 Dissertation [29 credits]

Convergence Area

• At least 9 hours must be taken in a convergent area outside of Anthropology as approved by the student's committee. [9 credits]

Choose one of the following sets of course options:

Sociocultural Anthropology

• ANTH 5213 Ethnographic Methods OR ANTH 5253 The Anthropology of Communities [3 credits]

Linguistic Anthropology

• ANTH 5153 Ethnography of Communication [3 credits]

Other Electives

• Electives as determined by student's committee [27 credits]

Sociocultural and Linguistics Ph.D Degree Checksheet

Archaeology Ph.D.

Required courses [# hours]; total = 90 credit hours

•  ANTH 5543 Research Design [3 credits]
•  ANTH 6713 Archaeological Theory (core) [3 credits]
•  ANTH 6633 Theory and Method in Biological Anthropology (core) [3 credits]
•  ANTH 6803 Advanced Archaeological Theory and Research [3 credits]
•  Electives as approved by the Graduate Liaison and Advisor (ANTH 5413 Public archaeology is strongly encouraged) [42 credits]
•  Dissertation [29 credits]

Archaeology Ph.D. Degree Sheet

Human Health and Biology Ph.D.

• ANTH 5223 Foundations of Social Thought (core) [3 credits] 
•  ANTH 6843 Theoretical Foundations of Biological and Medical Anthropology [3 credits]
•  Two Methods course selected from this list or at advisor’s discretion [6 credits]

Optional Methods classes include: ANTH 5083 Quantitative Methods in Anthropology, ANTH 5153 Ethnography of Communication, ANTH 5213 Ethnographic Methods, ANTH 5253 The Anthropology of Communities, ANTH 5343 Anthropological Demography, ANTH 5423 Introduction to Population Genetics, ANTH 5543 Research Design, ANTH 5593 Spatial Methods and Technologies in Anthropology, BSE 5013 Applications of Microcomputers to Data Analysis, BSE 5163 Biostatistics Methods I, BSE 5173 Biostatistics Methods II, BSE 5663 Analysis of Frequency Data, BSE 6643 Survival Data Analysis, COMM 5313 Qualitative Research Methods

•  Electives as approved by the Graduate Liaison and Advisor [25-39 credits]
•  Dissertation [29-43 credits]

Human Health and Biology Ph.D. Degree Checksheet

Funding and Awards

Graduate students in the Anthropology Department can apply for funding through multiple mechanisms. These are described below.

For information on tuition and fees, you may use the Office of the Bursar tuition estimator . Also, please let the department's Graduate Liaison know if you are a McNair scholar , as the deadline for McNair applicants is earlier than OU's general deadline for applications to the graduate program. For general inquiries about financial aid, please visit the website of OU's Financial Aid Office .

Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships

The department offers multiple graduate teaching assistantships (GTAships). These are semester-long appointments at 20 hours a week. Some GTAs support faculty who teach large courses; others teach online or face-to-face classes. GTAships are awarded competitively using information from the graduate applications and annual evaluations. The tuition waivers that accompany graduate assistantship awards are described here .

Please contact individual faculty members about the potential for grant funded research assistantships.

Research and Travel Awards

The Anthropology Department offers several awards for graduate student research and travel. These are awarded competitively, with applications due on October 1 and March 1 annually . To apply, download and fill out the Anthropology Scholarship Form. Students can use those funds to support travel that has already occurred. More information about these awards is given below. We expect students who apply for departmental research and travel funds to also apply for funds from one of the following: the Graduate College , the Graduate Student Senate , and/or the College of Arts and Sciences .

Examples of travel or research for which students may apply for support include:

• Travel to present research at a conference;
• Funds for a significant component of a research project, for example, travel or material expenses 
• Funds to seed research or collect pilot data 

Awardees must work with the department staff assistant before any travel is arranged to be certain that university requirements are met.

Morris E. Opler Memorial Scholarships

Graduate students may apply for an Opler scholarship. Lucille Ritter Opler established this endowed fund in memory of her husband, Dr. Morris E. Opler, to provide scholarships to deserving anthropology students at the University of Oklahoma. Morris Opler was a leading scholar of Native North America. A specialist on Apachean people, he authored numerous articles in scholarly journals and wrote several books on the culture and history of the Chiricahua, Jicarilla, Lipan, Mescalero, and Plains Apache (Kiowa Apache). Dr. Opler was a member of the University of Oklahoma Department of Anthropology faculty for nearly two decades, having served here after a distinguished teaching and research career at Cornell University. Much respected for his knowledge and teaching ability, he retired as Professor Emeritus from the University of Oklahoma in 1977 and passed away in 1996. Among his many honors, Dr. Opler was past President of the American Anthropological Association.

Rain Vehik Award

The Rain Vehik Memorial Fund honors archaeologist Dr. Rain Vehik. Dr. Vehik had a long and productive career in Plains archaeology that included positions at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, the University of North Dakota, and in Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, he served as head of the Archaeological Research and Management Center, worked with the Oklahoma Archeological Survey, and taught for the OU Department of Anthropology. The Rain Vehik Award offers funds to students to participate in scholarly conferences and workshops. Higher priority is given to students attending the annual Plains Anthropological Conference. This award is open to both graduate and undergraduate students. Each student is eligible for only one award per academic year.

Gilman-Minnis Scholarship in Archaeology

The Gilman-Minnis Scholarship in Archaeology was estalished by Dr. Patricia Gilman and Dr. Paul Minnis. Drs. Gilman and Minnis were faculty in the OU Department of Anthropology for many years, retiring in 2015. This scholarship offers funds to support archaeology graduate students' research projects. Typically, these funds are awarded only in the spring.

Anthropology Graduate Student Association (AGSA)

AGSA (pronounced /ægsə/) brings together Anthropology graduate students for the purpose of aiding in their professional development within the discipline. AGSA's Speakers Bureau invites scholars to give public lectures related to the interests of the department and conducts fundraisers to be able to afford these events. AGSA also coordinates professional development workshops with graduate students and faculty on topics of interest to current graduate students.  To learn more about current graduate students in Anthropology at OU, the organization, and events check out the AGSA website .  If you have any questions about AGSA, please e-mail one of our officers.

Applying to the Anthropology Graduate Program

The Anthropology department welcomes applications from students with bachelor’s degrees in any field. However, we encourage applicants to gain exposure to all of the subfields of anthropology . Students with a master’s degree from another institution may transfer up to 30 credit hours toward a Ph.D. degree. Students are encouraged to use the Office of the Bursar tuition and fee estimator for cost information. Applicants are not required to take the GRE. If you have taken it, please do not send us your scores, as they will be redacted from your application. Please contact the Graduate Liaison, Matthew Pailes ( [email protected] ), with any questions concerning this. Most important in the decisions for admission are the undergraduate transcript, the statement of purpose, and the two letters of recommendation. The department requires a single writing sample, which needs to be sole authored by the applicant. This could be an essay, term paper, seminar paper, thesis, or article, and should be related to anthropology or associated field.

Faculty look for an appropriate fit between the applicants’ intellectual interests and the research strengths of the department. To that end, we require that applicants contact potential faculty advisors before submitting their completed applications. 

Not all faculty members can chair graduate student committees. Graduate students (current and applying) should check faculty members' Graduate Faculty Appointment Status and adhere to Graduate College and department guidelines when assembling their committees.

The University of Oklahoma uses an integrated electronic application, available here , for its graduate programs. The Department admits applicants once a year to start in the Fall Term. Our next deadline is December 15, 2023. If you are a McNair scholar, please let us know promptly, as the deadline for McNair applicants is earlier than the OU graduate deadline.

Direct any questions to the  Graduate Liaison .

To apply to the graduate program, please visit the Graduate College webpage:

Graduate Degree Application  

• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• OU Job Search
• Legal Notices
• Resources and Offices
• OU Report It!

Quick Links

Nature’s Shield: Harnessing Biodiversity for Climate Resilience

September 26, 2024

9:30 a.m. | Ross Hall

Join NYBG during Climate Week NYC 2024 for our annual conference—where this year’s theme is centered on the importance of harnessing biodiversity to improve climate resilience.

Jennifer Bernstein, CEO and The William C. Steere Sr. President of the New York Botanical Garden, will welcome conference guests. The keynote address will be given by anthropologist, ethnobotanist, and author Wade Davis, followed by a panel discussion on Nurturing Nature Through Ecosystem Restoration and Conservation with prominent scientists and practitioners. Then, in the afternoon, join us back in Ross Hall for a special screening of Blue Carbon: Nature’s Hidden Power —an immersive documentary that combines the universal languages of music and science into a vibrant call to action to protect the planet. The conference concludes with a special panel celebrating the power and potential of native “supertrees” with The Bezos Earth Fund.

$35 Members / $39 Non-Members

Register Now

Peoples of the Anaconda Keynote Address by Wade Davis

9:30–10:30 a.m.

Named by the National Geographic Society as one of the Explorers for the Millennium, Wade Davis has been described as “a rare combination of scientist, scholar, poet and passionate defender of all of life’s diversity.” Davis’ work in anthropology and ethnobotany has taken him all over the world—from the Amazon to Tibet, Africa to Australia, Polynesia to the Arctic. Join Davis as he shares his investigations from the Amazon region; his collaboration with the Indigenous communities he traveled with, the ecological rich zones found deep within the jungle, and the threats they both face.

Wade Davis, Ph.D.

Keynote Speaker

Anthropologist, ethnobotanist, author, and photographer, University of British Columbia

Wade Davis is currently Professor of Anthropology and the BC Leadership Chair in Cultures and Ecosystems at Risk at the University of British Columbia. Between 2000 and 2013, he served as Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society. He holds degrees in anthropology and biology and received his Ph.D. in ethnobotany, all from Harvard University. In 2016, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada and in 2018, became an Honorary Citizen of Colombia. Davis has authored 24 books, which most recently include Magdalena: River of Dreams and Beneath the Surface of Things .

The 3rd Annual Thomas E. Lovejoy, Ph.D., and Edward O. Wilson, Ph.D., Panel

10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

A panel of distinguished scientists and practitioners will discuss what can be done to halt biodiversity loss and enhance climate resilience through ecological restoration and conservation. Panel discussion will be moderated by Dr. Mauricio Diazgranados, NYBG’s Chief Science Officer and Dean of Science.

Paula Caballero , Regional Managing Director for Latin America, The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

Ashleigh McGovern , Senior Vice President, Center for Oceans, Conservation International

Cristián Samper , Managing Director and Leader for Nature Solutions, Bezos Earth Fund

Paul Smith , Secretary General, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI)

With moderation by:

Dr. Mauricio Diazgranados , Chief Science Officer, New York Botanical Garden

This program was made possible thanks in part to the generous support of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Film Screening of Blue Carbon: Nature’s Hidden Power

Blue Carbon is an environmentally focused film directed by the Emmy ® – and BAFTA-winning director Nicolas Brown and narrated by Grammy ® -nominated DJ and marine toxicologist Jayda G, with music from Wu-Tang leader RZA and Brazilian artist Seu Jorge. Blue Carbon takes you on a global expedition, exploring the latest scientific discoveries surrounding the ocean’s astonishing capacity to absorb carbon from the atmosphere. You’ll witness remarkable encounters with marine life and discover the unsung heroes at the forefront of conservation efforts, offering a ray of hope in these challenging times. Q & A to follow the screening.

Dr. Eric Sanderson , Vice President for Urban Conservation, New York Botanical Garden

©Make Waves

Supertrees for a Sustainable Future

5–6:30 p.m.

Join The Bezos Earth Fund and the New York Botanical Garden for a panel celebrating the power and potential of native “supertrees.” This dialogue will explore the critical role that native trees play in putting global climate, biodiversity, and restoration goals within reach. Drawing on experience from Brazil, it will highlight innovation and research happening right now to close the investment gap in native tree species, secure the long-term supply of native species, and use these native “supertrees” to restore degraded land and build Brazil’s bioeconomy.

Emily Averna , Associate Director, Landscape Restoration, Bezos Earth Fund

Nabil Moura Kadri , Deputy Managing Director for Environment, BNDES

Dr. Daniel Piotto , Professor of Forestry, Federal University of Southern Bahia

Fernando Visser , Director of Technology and Innovation, re.green

Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know about all things NYBG