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.
Announcements
Coastal Voices Project
July 16, 2025
Newly released 10 minute video: ‘To Do As We Have Always Done’ produced by colleagues Anne Salomon and Hanna Kobluk about the Coastal Voices...
Dr. McKechnie's new article
July 16, 2025
Congratulations to Tinker, M. Tim, Anne K. Salomon, Shawn E. Larson, & Iain McKechnie 2025 on their new article "A catastrophic and unintended experiment: Revising our understanding of sea...
Dr. Thom quoted on CHEK-TV
July 15, 2025
Dr. Brian Thom was quoted on CHEK-TV in an article titled "‘I was disappointed’: SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation says artifacts dug up on Salt Spring...
New paper by Dr. Kurki and Dr. MacKinnon
July 14, 2025
Congratulations to Dr. Helen Kurki and her Post Doc Dr. Marla MacKinnon (and others) on their new publication "Ilium morphological variation during growth in forager populations" in the Journal of...
New article revealing 14,000 year old stone tools
July 10, 2025
Hakai Institute researcher and Adjunct Professor Duncan McLaren is the lead author on a new article revealing 14,000 year old stone tools on an inland riverbank on northern Vancouver Island - among...
