News & Events

Jerry Jacka's Co-Authored Article Published in Political Geography

Renee Kuban — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 17:58:23 +0000

Jerry Jacka's Co-Authored Article Published in Political Geography Renee Kuban Thu, 07/17/2025 - 11:58

Alumna, Emily Hite (PhD Anthropology, 2021) Sarah Posner (PhD student in Geography), and ProfessorJerry Jacka published “Violent Environments and the Low-Carbon Energy Transition: Cautionary Tales from Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea” in the journal Political Geography.

Abstract

Two decades on, we seek to expand Peluso and Watt's seminal 'Violent Environments' (2001) with the advent of decarbonization efforts to transition to a low-carbon future, which can have violent outcomes for residing communities. Our expanded political ecology of violence coalesces the violences of extractivism inherent in the transition, which manifests at varying tempos (slow to fast) and degrees of legibility (invisible to visible). Our research in Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea highlights the violences that progress in new environments shaped by historical processes of colonialism and imperialism, accumulation by dispossession, climate change, and decarbonization efforts, among others. We offer to reorient our theoretical agenda in the era of the 'capitalocene' that critically identifies, scrutinizes, and attends to the myriad forms of violence that are correlated with a low-carbon energy transition. In conclusion, we urge social scientists to invoke a thoughtful engagement with violences, recognizing conflicts embroiled in politicized decarbonization efforts.

Read the article in Political Geography

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Chilton Tippin Interviewed on the 'The Texas Standard' Radio Show

Renee Kuban — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 23:23:37 +0000

Chilton Tippin Interviewed on the 'The Texas Standard' Radio Show Renee Kuban Tue, 07/15/2025 - 17:23

Chilton Tippin (Cultural Anthropology, Phd Candidate) was invited on The Texas Standard to speak about his dissertation research. In the piece, Chilton discusses a farmer rebellion in Chihuahua, Mexico, and how drought ratches up tensions between TX and MX over the contested waters of the Rio Grande and Rio Conchos.

Listen to the show The Texas Standard

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Carla Jones Publishes Article in CSSH

Renee Kuban — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 22:33:05 +0000

Carla Jones Publishes Article in CSSH Renee Kuban Tue, 07/15/2025 - 16:33

Professor Carla Jones' new essay "Runways and Relations," published in CSSH discusses and updates her recent CSSH research article "Style on Trial: The Gendered Aesthetics of Appearance, Corruption, and Piety in Indonesia." Don't miss the new photos in the essay!

Read the essay in CSSH

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Chilton Tippin Publishes Feature Story in the Texas Observer

Renee Kuban — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 18:25:18 +0000

Chilton Tippin Publishes Feature Story in the Texas Observer Renee Kuban Mon, 07/07/2025 - 12:25

Chilton Tippin (Cultural Anthropology, PhD Candidate) published the feature story for the July/August edition of the Texas Observer, including photos by Eduardo Talamantes.
Based on Chilton's dissertation field research, the story charts the social and political ramifications of drought along the TX-MX border, focusing on the nexus of drought, civil unrest, water treaties, & migration in the Rio Conchos Valley of Chihuahua, Mexico.

Read the Article in the Texas Observer

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Will Taylor Receives Catalyst Grant

Renee Kuban — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 17:27:03 +0000

Will Taylor Receives Catalyst Grant Renee Kuban Fri, 06/20/2025 - 11:27

Professor Will Taylor receives Catalyst Grant.

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Will Taylor Receives NSF CAREER Award & Stands Up for Archaeology in Recent NYT Article

Renee Kuban — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 19:54:00 +0000

Will Taylor Receives NSF CAREER Award & Stands Up for Archaeology in Recent NYT Article Renee Kuban Thu, 06/05/2025 - 13:54

Professor Will Taylor receives an NSF CAREER Award for his research project “Understanding Animal Domestication and Human-Environmental Relationships.”

Taylor’s research aims to understand animal domestication and human-environmental relationships on northeast Asian prehistory through archaeology.

His NSF CAREER project will investigate rare, well-preserved archaeological and biological assemblages recovered from archaeological field research in western Mongolia—including new finds from high mountain snow and ice features and excavation of stratified dry caves—spanning the last four millennia and beyond.

The research will be paired with a multifaceted program of museum education and outreach, building on Taylor’s past findings, providing infrastructure for the protection of cultural resources and the cultivation of international scientific cooperation while supporting early-career scientists and expanding public education in Mongolia and the United States.

The NSF CAREER support will aid Taylor and his Mongolian partners, including the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and National Museum of Mongolia, to analyze ancient animal remains, artifacts and ecofacts with cutting-edge techniques from archaeozoology, biomolecular sciences and paleoenvironmental data from the Mongolian Altai. The research team will seek to establish data-driven models for the introduction and dispersal of domestic livestock to northeast Asia; the timing and role of Mongolian cultures in the innovation of large animal transport, including the chariot, the saddle/stirrup and reindeer riding; and the relationship of key social developments to ancient environments in the eastern Steppe.

“Leveraging partnerships and expertise from scientists and institutions at home and abroad, this award will produce key scientific research on animal domestication and the human story,” Taylor noted, adding that the CAREER award will help “to build important educational tools and capacity for a future generation of scientists and scholars, along with strong international partnerships and scientific cooperations between Mongolia and the United States.”

Professor Will Taylor’s comments in The New York Times article "Archaeology Faces Deep Cuts in Federal Budget Proposal" highlight a critical issue for both science and cultural heritage. As an expert in archaeology and anthropology, Taylor underscores how drastic funding cuts could jeopardize our ability to study and preserve the past limiting discoveries, stifling innovation, and erasing irreplaceable histories.

Read the article New York Times

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Zachary Cooper Successfully Defended His PhD Dissertation

Renee Kuban — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 18:10:18 +0000

Zachary Cooper Successfully Defended His PhD Dissertation Renee Kuban Thu, 06/05/2025 - 12:10

Zachachary Cooper (Archaeology, PhD Candidate) has successfully defended his dissertation, "Northern Rio Grande Resistance to the Chaco World." His committee members were Scott Ortman (Chair), Cathy Cameron, Steve Lekson, Dimitri Nakassis (Classics), and Bruce Bernstein. During his time as a student, Zach also published three peer-reviewed articles related to his research, showcasing his dedication and expertise.

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Emily Opack Passes Her PhD Qualifying Exam

Renee Kuban — Tue, 20 May 2025 16:00:05 +0000

Emily Opack Passes Her PhD Qualifying Exam Renee Kuban Tue, 05/20/2025 - 10:00

Emily Opack (Biological Anthropology, PhD in Progress) has successfully passed her qualifying exam. Her committee consisted of Professors Matt Sponheimer, Michelle Sauther, and Fernando Villanea.

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Drew Zackary Successfully Defended His PhD Dissertation

Renee Kuban — Mon, 19 May 2025 21:07:30 +0000

Drew Zackary Successfully Defended His PhD Dissertation Renee Kuban Mon, 05/19/2025 - 15:07

Drew Zackary (Cultural Anthropology, PhD Candidate) successfully defended his dissertation,"Pathways and Assemblages: Life and Movement in Kanchenjunga." His committee members were professors Carole McGranahan (Chair), Alison Cool, Jerry Jacka, Joanna Lambert and Marty Otanez.

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Urmi Bhattacheryya Successfully Defended Her MA Paper

Renee Kuban — Thu, 15 May 2025 16:51:36 +0000

Urmi Bhattacheryya Successfully Defended Her MA Paper Renee Kuban Thu, 05/15/2025 - 10:51

Urmi Bhattacheryya (Cultural Anthropology, PhD in progress) successfully defended her MA paper, "Where Law Does Not Reach: How Marital Rape Survivors Make Meaning in Cross-cultural India." Her committee members were Gerardo Gutierrez (Chair), Matthew Sponheimer and Donna Goldstein.

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