Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of what it means to be human, whether in the past, the present or the future.
Anthropologists apply research approaches including ethnography, audio-visual and digital methods, excavations, fieldwork and lab-based work. Faculty in the department have undertaken research around the world.
Study anthropology at UVic
Drawing on insights from the social sciences, the sciences and the humanities, anthropologists study how humans have emerged and organized ourselves. Embracing the full diversity of humanity across time and space, anthropologists at UVic work in fields such as:
- human history and material culture (archaeology)
- human evolution and primatology (biological anthropology)
- human culture and society (socio-cultural anthropology)
At UVic, anthropology undergraduate and graduate students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of hands-on and experiential learning opportunities, including field schools and co-operative education.
From small class sizes to hands-on and international learning, learn why you should study anthropology at UVic.
News & stories
Dr. Kalan's new paper
March 26, 2026
Congratulations to Dr. Ammie Kalan on her new paper. Kalan AK, Tennie C. Brokering peace in the ape (culture) wars. Evolutionary Human Sciences. 2026;8:e9....
PhD candidate receives Uplifting Reciprocal Research Scholarship
March 13, 2026
Congratulations to our PhD candidate Dylan Hillis who was awarded the 2025 "Uplifting Reciprocal Research Scholarship". Check out his knowledge higlight - part of the Pacific...
Honours student guest curated exhibition
March 11, 2026
Please check out this wonderful exhibition at Mary Winspear Centre of Tsawout artist Doug LaFortune’s art. Our amazing Honours student Carter Lindstrom guest curated this exhibition at...
PhD candidate receives the 2026 Teaching Excellence Award for Graduate Student
March 3, 2026
Huge congratulations to our PhD candidate and Sessional instructor Leah Mernaugh Bergman on receiving the 2026 Teaching Excellence Award for Graduate Students at the University of Victoria -...
Dr. Nowell on sex life of Neanderthals
February 27, 2026
Dr. Nowell was interviewed for a number of papers on the sex bias in Neanderthal-Homo sapiens interbreeding. New York Times: "What Your DNA Reveals About the Sex Life of Neanderthals." Nau.ch...
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