GW Department of Anthropology

Kate Fish will be defending her dissertation on March 25th at 2:00 PM in SEH B1220 with the option for virtual attendance!

Congratulations to Priscilla Grunauer, a CASHP PhD student, and Dr. Francys Subiaul for their recently published paper in the Journal of Childhood, Education & Society. Their research focuses on the outcomes of Hawaiian culture-based education in preschool-aged children from high-risk communities.

First snow of the season! ❄️ Found this little guy by our front door.

Love, War, and Diplomacy: The Discovery of the Amarna Letters and the Bronze Age World They Revealed by Eric H. Cline

Eric H. Cline

@digkabri.bsky.social has a virtual event with Smithsonian Associates next week, Dec 10 at 6:45pm EST! Learn about his book, Love, War, and Diplomacy, which chronicles the discovery of the Amarna Letters and the Bronze Age world they revealed.

Get tickets for this incredible event: buff.ly/oMpBFU4

Interested in any of our Anthropology Graduate Programs here at George Washington University?
There will be a virtual information session on Monday, January 26, 2026 from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM EST. Register using this link.

Redefining normal: autism, stigma and culture - WHYY Anthropologist Roy Richard Grinker on the progress in understanding autism, the ongoing efforts to overcome mental health stigma, and the need to dispel persistent myths.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Richard Grinker discusses our increasing understanding of autism, stigmas around mental illness and differences, and myths about autism and health.

The Amarna Letters: Voices From the Bronze Age In 1887, a cache of nearly 400 clay tablets inscribed in cuneiform was found in the ruins of the heretic king Akhenaten’s ancient capital. Now known as the Amarna Letters, this correspondence be...

I will also be offering a one time virtual lecture on the Amarna Letters, courtesy of the Smithsonian Associates, on the evening of December 10. (I don’t think the lecture will be affected by the shut down, though I also sincerely hope it is over by then.)

smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/pr...

The ginkgo trees on campus are looking very autumnal!

Ever wondered why dogs tilt their heads? 🐕 CASHP alumni, Colleen Buckley and Dr. Courtney Sexton, along with Dr. Brenda Bradley, Dr. Francys Subiaul, and additional colleagues have published a new, open-access article about it in Animals. Check it out!

Two of my earliest “1177 BC” public lectures, which were posted on YouTube by the organizers, have now been seen a combined total of 11.1 million times, with more than 15,000 comments. Very pleased that the Late Bronze Age in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean is reaching such a wide audience.

Who We Are The National Geographic Society uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Our mission is only complete when our staff, explorers, educators, youth and partners are seen, valued, and heard. We embrace each person’s identity, experiences, and abilities, and we commit to cultivating an environment where everyone benefits from opportunity, mutual respect and a sense of belonging. National Geographic's headquarters is located in the heart of Washington, D.C. We offer our employees a comprehensive benefits package, including health and dental benefits, generous vacation and parental leave time, a 401(k) plan, flexible work options, and career development.

National Geographic Society is hiring 30+ positions to staff their new museum location in Washington D.C. 👀 ngs.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/ngs_external...

Jane Goodall Leaves a Legacy at GW | GW Today | The George Washington University The groundbreaking primatologist, conservationist and educator, who passed away Oct. 1, had ties across the university.

In this GW Today article, Dr. Carson Murray reflects on her mentor and friend, Dr. Jane Goodall, and their ongoing research about the chimpanzees of Gombe National Park in Tanzania.

Your cuneiform tablet plushie is lovely.

Sociocultural anthropology teaching position at Purdue University careers.purdue.edu/job/Professo...

Safeguarding Sound Science | National Center for Science Education Safeguarding Sound Science, Evolution EditionThe second season of Safeguarding Sound Science examines the everyday impacts of evolution, the grand theory that informs our understanding of all life on ...

Episode 2 of Safeguarding Sound Science: Evolution Edition is now up on our website and wherever you get your podcasts! Guests this week are Jeremy DeSilva and Briana Pobiner (@brianapobiner.bsky.social) for a discussion on human evolution misconceptions.
#podsky #paleobio #evosky

From Stigma to Science and Support: Anthropology’s Grinker Authors Autism Narrative | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University As a researcher, educator and father, Anthropology’s Roy Richard Grinker shares his personal and professional journey through autism’s changing landscape.

Dr. Richard Grinker did a Q&A with the GW Columbian College of Arts & Sciences news team, and he offered both his professional and personal insights about autism.

"Why waste time say lot word when few word do trick?"

WSU Anthropology is growing! We seek a tenure-track Assistant Professor in cultural anthropology specializing in health, well-being, and/or human-environment interactions, to start next fall in Pullman. Apply by Nov 2, 2025: wsu.edu/jobs (search R-14034).

Submit an abstract for our 2nd @italianglianetwork.bsky.social
Symposium by Oct 10.
We want to see your cool #glial research!!!

The 2nd #IGN Symposium will be online on November 26 at 2 pm CET, and everybody can attend 😍 We will post the link to connect here: tinyurl.com/ye232mx9

Opinion | Autism Has Always Existed. We Haven’t Always Called It Autism.

Dr. Richard Grinker's New York Times op-ed about the history of autism, and how it's understood now, was published today.

How recent research and expanded diagnosis are changing our understanding of autism Experts say there is no link between vaccines and autism, and NBC News reports that a much-anticipated review from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy is expected before the end of the month. NBC News' Er...

Dr. Richard Grinker is featured in this NBC news segment about autism and its increasing rates of diagnosis.

The second review of my forthcoming Amarna Letters book is out, from Publishers Weekly: "...a remarkable glimpse into deep history and a savvy examination of an academic discipline's evolution."

And just heard that 1177 BC will be translated into Indonesian -- that makes 21 foreign languages...

DIG-ging Anthropology: Senior Bridges Labs, Lessons, Leadership | GW Today | The George Washington University Lucia Kustra studies primate cultures and leads the next generation of anthropologists as president of the DIG pre-professional fraternity.

Lucia Kustra, our DIG President, is featured in this article discussing her primatology research as a member of Dr. Carson Murray's lab.

📆 It's September, which means it's time to think about your abstract submission to #AABA2026 in Denver! The abstract portal will open on September 15 and close on October 15. Check out the guidelines and start planning your submission: bioanth.org/95th-annual-...

Big attendance at last Dun Ailinne Open Day A daily updated news website relating to the small but dynamic village of Kilcullen, Co Kildare, IRL.

Dr. Susan Johnston is quoted in this article about the archaeological work she, her colleague Dr. Suzanne Garrett, and their students have been conducting at Dun Ailinne. They have concluded this phase of excavations, and Dr. Susan Johnston will be working on publishing their findings.