S4E4 - Interview with Dr. Steadman (Forensic Anthropology)

10/17/19 • 15 min

Do raccoons have a preference on what they scavenge? How does our environment and what we consume in our lifetime affect how we decompose? In this bonus episode, we talk with forensic anthropologist Dr. Dawnie Wolfe- Steadman, and hear about her research at the Forensic Anthropology Center at University of Tennessee, Knoxville (a.k.a The Body Farm) where she works with donated bodies to inform science and criminal justice. From this, we recognize Anthropology's multiple disciplines and raise the broader questions about the human body and culture.

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Bonus Episode with Dr. Bruce Floyd: Populating Polynesia

Have you ever stuck your hand in cold water and watched it prune? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Bruce Floyd of the University of Auckland. After describing his circuitous path to anthropology, Dr. Floyd describes his research studying "cold induced vasodilation response (CIVD)" as a hypotheses for understanding the Peopling of the Pacific. How does this relate to prune-y hands? Listen to find out...

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S4E4 - Interview with Dr. Downey (Ecological Anthropology)

Do you know the origins of the term "slash and burn agriculture"? In this episode we talk with Dr. Sean Downey, an ecological anthropologist who works in Belize. Dr. Downey describes the colonial view that led to the term "slash and burn" for the practice that many anthropologists and ecologists prefer to call, "Swidden" agriculture. Dr. Downey's research asks the questions, "how do community social norms lead to sustainable forest outcomes, even under the clearing regimes that they use to provide subsistence for their families?" Listen to this episode to find out more about how Dr. Downey conducts his research, and preliminary results!