Michigan State University Department of Anthropology
@msuanthropology
"Contact" asks one word to cover two centuries of shifting power, trade and violence in the Great Lakes. Dr. Jessica Yann argues for breaking it apart: a continuum that centers how Indigenous communities persisted and adapted. anthropology.msu.edu/2026/08/13/r... #Archaeology #Anthropology
Dr. Phyllis Johnson, MSU anthropologist, on healthier working environments in cultural resource management, a field that runs most of US archaeology's jobs. New article in the journal Advances in Archaeological Practice. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
The default interpretation for human remains in Maya caves has been sacrifice. Dr. Gabriel Wrobel has spent two decades pushing back on that, and the skeletal evidence is on his side. anthropology.msu.edu/2026/07/30/c... #anthropology
Congratulations to Dr. Carolyn Isaac on her reappointment as assistant professor of anthropology. 🎉 Dr. Isaac is a biological anthropologist specializing in forensic anthropology.
Congratulations to Dr. Elizabeth Drexler on her promotion to professor of anthropology. 🎉 Dr. Drexler's research examines violence, human rights, transitional justice, and impunity in Indonesia and Timor-Leste, work she has sustained for more than 20 years.
The Department of Anthropology is proud to congratulate Md "Monir" Moniruzzaman on being named a Fulbright finalist for the 2026-27 academic year. Moniruzzaman was selected for a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to conduct work in Bangladesh. From MSUToday: msutoday.msu.edu/news/2026/06...
Anthropology alumnus Donald Weir was recently awarded with the National Society of Historical Archaeology’s Award of Merit for his lifetime of work in archaeology at this year’s national conference. The full story: spr.ly/63325B6YhbR #MSUAnthropology #MSUSocialScience
In 1952, Toy Len Goon—a Chinese immigrant & widowed—was named U.S. Mother of the Year. Her granddaughter, Dr. Andrea Louie, shares Goon's story in Chinese American Mothering. 📚 spr.ly/63321CEsRd
From childhood curiosity to forensic anthropology: Dr. Andrea Zurek-Ost joins MSU Anthropology as a research associate on MOSIAC—a $2.1M NIJ-funded project advancing identification methods. Read her story here! spr.ly/63320CBnBq
Congrats to MSU Ph.D. student Intan Kumbayoni and team for placing 3rd in the Geneva Challenge! Their PATH project promotes peer-led health education for migrant teens—one of five global finalists among 313 teams. 🌍👏 #MSUResearch #GlobalInpact
Support the next generation of Spartan anthropologists! Give today! give.msu.edu/?sid=701 #givingtuesday #msu
Students in ANP 364: Fake Archaeology are learning to investigate pseudoarchaeology and analyze its spread on social media using digital tools in MSU’s LEADR Lab. spr.ly/633267W3io @leadr.bsky.social #Anthropology #FakeArchaeology #DigitalResearch #HandsOnLearning
Congratulations to Dr. Stacey Camp on being appointed the new Curator of Archaeology at the MSU Museum! Read more here! spr.ly/6332979eUT
Meet Laila Komis, whose love for cultures led her to anthropology. Now, through a PURI-supported project, she’s exploring how digital media drives movements for economic and social justice. 📖 Learn more: spr.ly/6332279l1G
Thank you MSU Police for inviting Associate Professor Dr. Joe Hefner to speak at the Detective Bureau meeting! Hefner, a forensic anthropologist, shared how his work with MSU’s Department of Anthropology and Forensic Anthropology Lab (MSUFAL) can assist and strengthen local investigations.
Graduate Student Association Annual Chili Cookoff was a blast! 🌶️ Thank you to everyone who came out, voted, and cooked up amazing chili and cornbread! 🏆 Chili Winner: Hot Stuff Comin’ Through 🏆 Cornbread Winner: Kernal Panic #ChiliCookoff #CornbreadChallenge #GradLife
What can ancient Indigenous cuisines teach us about culture & community? A new volume of essays explores how food shaped social life in the ancient Midcontinent. 📚 Learn more: spr.ly/633227pfEn
👏 Congrats to Gungun Islam on receiving the Dr. Delia Koo Global Student Scholarship! Her research in West Bengal, India, explores how infertility care is shaped by social, political & economic inequities. spr.ly/633237Ppdh #GlobalHealth
Meet Kiana Sakimehr, recent Ph.D graduate whose dissertation centered on the emotional realities of Afghan refugee resettlement in Michigan. Her work reminds us that migration is not just political—it’s deeply personal. 📖 Full story: spr.ly/633277z2oJ
Language can fuel conflict—or heal it. Indonesian youth in Ambon are using art, music & literature to counter disinformation and build peace. Read more: spr.ly/633227Em8C #Peacebuilding #ArtsForChange
We are excited to celebrate Dr. Carolyn Isaac on her achievement of becoming a Board-Certified Forensic Anthropologist! Thank you, Dr. Isaac, for all your amazing contributions to our department, lab, students and the community!
📝 Big thanks to Dr. Joe Hefner for leading a CV workshop at the recent Anthropology Club meeting! He shared practical tips on what to include (and what to avoid) when crafting a CV that truly highlights your work. #Anthropology #CareerTips #CVWorkshop #MSU
From childhood digs in the woods to excavating #archaeological sites in Tuscany—Don Henrikson’s journey as an anthropology student is fueled by his love for discovery. #FieldSchool #Anthropology spr.ly/63326AqAUy
Dr. Stacey Camp hosted FIRST® LEGO League team from New Lothrop, MI to explore archaeology, STEM, and innovation through hands-on activities. This year’s theme: UNEARTHED™ — digging into the past to build a better future. #FIRSTLEGOLeague #STEM #Unearthed #Outreach
MSU is developing its first CRM Lab, led by Dr. Phyllis Johnson, aiming to offer paid, hands-on archaeology training from undergrad to Ph.D. level. #SpartanArchaeology #CRM #Anthropology #SpartansWill spr.ly/63329Ab8V1
We joined a medical ANP class led by Dr. Heather Howard, where students explored how Indigenous health is defined, understood, and researched. “I love seeing students respectfully learning from Indigenous peoples’ experiences, strengths, and insights,” she said. spr.ly/63320ApIfA
Jules McClary, an anthropology major, spent her summer exploring Lansing’s history through an archival internship at the @lansingbwl.bsky.social Her passion for human history, culture, and art shines through in her work. Check out her story. spr.ly/63322AMYL8
Recent Ph.D. grad, Brian Geyer, began in music performance, moved into ethnomusicology, and transitioned to anthropology. After Peace Corps service in Kenya, his research focused on intersectional identities in Kenya’s tech sector. Read more in his recent Q&A. spr.ly/63323favaX