Research

It's not unusual for NIU anthropology students to find themselves working alongside nationally recognized scholars who have made major discoveries attracting world attention. The department is home to 14 scholars whose research and teaching interests span and overlap all four subdisciplines of anthropology (archaeology, linguistic anthropology, physical/biological anthropology, and social/cultural anthropology).

Our department values empirical, theoretically and methodologically informed research that emphasizes both quantitative and qualitative approaches. We encourage a holistic research approach that fosters interdisciplinary and methodological between the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. We also foster the development of scholarly expertise in the culture, history, or language of specific regions. Departmental regional strengths include Southeast Asia, Latin America, North America, and Oceania. Other regions of research include Africa, Europe, and East Asia.

Areas of Study within Anthropology

• Archaeology [here]
• Cultural Anthropology [here]
• Linguistics Anthropology [here]
• Physical Anthropology [here]

Photos from Field Research

• Bolivia: Dr. Leila Porter, Summer 2009.
• Cambodia: Dr. Judy Ledgerwood, Summer 2007.