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
Congratulations to Dr. Rudnyckyj
February 7, 2025
Congratulations to Dr. Daromir Rudnyckyj who recently published the entry on “Finance” for the Open Encyclopedia of Anthropology. Read the article here.
New paper on great ape behavioural responses
February 4, 2025
New review paper on the responses of great apes to anthropogenic impact and consequences thereof. We found that wild apes are increasingly foraging on crops, crossing roads and altering nesting and...
Dr. Nowell in Live Science
February 3, 2025
Dr. April Nowell commented in Live Science on the use of labrets in the Upper Paleolithic in an article titled "Ice age Europeans as young as 10 years old rocked cheek piercings 30,000 years ago".
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...
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...
