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
Dr. Rudnyckyj's book featured
January 31, 2025
Faculty member, Daromir Rudnyckyj’s book is featured on PoLAR’s “In Other Words” blog.
Congratulations to Dr. Nowell
January 30, 2025
Congratulations to Dr. April Nowell - the documentary Little Sapiens, inspired by her book and for which she co-wrote the pitch - has been nominated for 3 Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television...
Dr. Nowell cited in New Scientist
January 29, 2025
Dr. April Nowell is cited a number of times in this latest New Scientist article titled "How our ancestors invented clothing and transformed it into fashion: Remarkable archaeological finds are...
Top 10 stories of 2024 - Dr. Nowell
December 19, 2024
Congratulations to Dr. April Nowell on being one of UVic’s top 10 news stories of 2024! Read all top 10 stories here.
Top Stories in Human Evolution in 2024
December 16, 2024
Congratulations to Dr. April Nowell and her team - their puberty paper is the second one listed for "Top stories in Human Evolution in 2024".
News & events
Visual anthropology grad inspires hope
Long-time photographer and artist, Graydon Smith, found inspiration in UVic’s visual anthropology graduate program. He graduates this fall with a master’s degree in anthropology. “I was first...
UVic's Vanier scholars and Banting Fellowship
The University of Victoria is celebrating four outstanding researchers recently announced as 2024 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholars and one prestigious Banting Postdoctoral Fellow.
Anthropology grad's international experience
Graduating this spring, anthropology major/sociology minor undergraduate student, Emma Emile appreciates her time at UVic and especially how anthropology “sparked critical reflection on what it...
