Featured Anthropology Major: Sophie Josephson
Sophie advises incoming anthropology majors to "take anthropology classes that you think you may not even be interested in, because that is where you may unexpectedly find your passion."
McGraw construction melds modern with historical
During the rebuilding of McGraw Hall, workers have made several discoveries, and faculty are reusing and studying materials from the building in the classroom. Built in 1872, McGraw Hall is one of Cornell University's oldest buildings and home to College of Arts and Sciences departments of anthropology and history and the archaeology program.
Ahmann's Book Receives Honorable Mention for Gregory Bateson Book Prize
Professor Chloe Ahmann's book, Futures After Progress: Hope and Doubt in Late Industrial Baltimore, received an Honorable Mention for the Gregory Bateson Book Prize.
Featured Anthropology Major: Yvette Reyes
"Anthropology challenges the way you think about the world, but that challenge can also become one of the most rewarding parts of the major."
Reclaiming experience: Approaches to trauma
Scholars in Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences are redefining trauma research across humanities, examining delayed memory’s effects on individuals, culture and history. Their insights from many different academic disciplines, including literature, history, archaeology and psychoanalysis connect trauma, testimony and collective witness.
Humanities scholars tackle research across disciplines
Seniors in the Humanities Scholars Program (HSP) in the College of Arts & Sciences at Cornell University will showcase their research at an all-day conference May 1 at the A.D. White House. Their work spans across humanities fields and also highlights intersections with science, technology, business, law and other disciplines.
Student spotlight: Nia Whitmal
Nia Whitmal, a doctoral candidate in anthropology in Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences, studies wealth accumulation strategies of Harlem’s Black property-owners and real estate agents. In an interview, Whitmal says a Zhu Family Graduate Fellowship benefits her work.
Donor’s fund enables dedicated humanities research
Jonathan Zhu, J.D. ’92, whose A.D. White Fellowship allowed him to attend Cornell, has established the Zhu Family Graduate Fellowships supporting humanities doctoral students at Cornell University. Each of the three 2025 fellows – who are pursuing art history, anthropology, and science and technology studies, appreciates that the fellowship’s financial support paired with release from…
Admitted Class of 2030 seeks real-world impact
Cornell admits the Class of 2030 emphasizing real-world impact, enrolling 5,776 students from 102 countries. At Cornell University, the diverse cohort reflects the land-grant mission and applied learning goals across multiple colleges.
Ethnic unity law contradicts China’s constitution, puts premium on assimilation
“The law is consistent with a dramatic recent policy shift, to suppress the ethnic diversity formally recognized since 1949," says one Cornell expert. "The next step may be the formal abolishment of ‘ethnic minorities.’"
New Books by Anthropology Faculty
Looking for a new book? Check out these books by Department of Anthropology faculty.
Awards and Accolades 25/26
We celebrate the successes of our faculty and students. Congratulations to all!
Anthropology in the News: 25/26
Here is a select list of recent articles quoting or mentioning Anthropology faculty and students:
Cornell Center for Social Sciences names 2026-27 Faculty Fellows
The Cornell Center for Social Sciences has selected 10 faculty members, including several from A&S, as 2026–27 Faculty Fellows, providing course release and funding to support interdisciplinary social science research with real-world impact.
Daniel Gold, professor of Asian studies emeritus, dies at 78
Daniel Gold, a professor of Asian studies emeritus in the College of Arts and Sciences, died on Feb. 16 in Ithaca. He was 78.
College of Arts and Sciences announces 2026 Klarman Fellows
The 12 early-career scholars will pursue research in the sciences, social sciences and humanities.
Fossiles to fortepianos: The Hill's 'mini-museums' and collections
The next time you visit Ithaca, check out exhibits on Chimes history, astronomical instruments, historical keyboards and so much more
Your January 2026 reads
This month’s featured titles include poetry, an anthropologist’s memoir, and a chronicle of the Nazi’s massive looting of European artworks.
Book explores ‘modernity and malevolence’ in Indian clinical care
The book shows how patterns of psycho-social stress combined with modernity’s pressures can influence psychiatric practice.
Yvette Reyes is Awarded the Freedman Award to Conduct Powerful Research on Literacy and Learning
Yvette Reyes was awarded the Freedman Award for Undergraduate in Anthropology in May 2025. Yvette is a fourth-year undergraduate student triple majoring in English, Anthropology, and American Studies, with a minor in Education.
Medical anthropologist to deliver annual Society for Humanities lecture
Stacey Langwick, associate professor of anthropology in the College of Arts & Sciences, will speak on "Healing in a Toxic World: Reimagining the Times and Spaces of the Therapeutic."
Emma Dalla Costa is Awarded the Freedman Award
Emma Dalla Costa was awarded the Freedman Award for Undergraduate Research in Anthropology in May 2025. Emma is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Anthropology and Government. Emma used funds from this award to conduct fieldwork with immigrant communities and local stakeholders in Milan, examining how perceptions of immigration influence…
Your October 2025 reads
This month’s featured titles include short stories, a fantasy book for tweens, and a scholarly look at Carmen adaptations – all by Arts & Sciences alumni and faculty.
Einaudi welcomes SWANA Program
The Einaudi Center welcomes the Southwest Asia and North Africa Program and four new program directors this fall.
‘Sacred Ground’ exhibit receives Historic Ithaca preservation award
Open now through Dec. 31, the exhibit highlights findings from a four-year archaeological excavation of Ithaca’s St. James A.M.E. Zion Church conducted by Cornell faculty, students and Ithaca school children from 2021–2024.
Nepal expert comments on violent protests in Nepal
Kathryn March, professor emerita of anthropology, comments on the violent protests in Nepal.
Kidney disease and climate change in Nicaragua’s sugarcane zone
“What is happening to the kidneys of sugarcane workers is not a result of climate change. It is climate change": Anthropologist Alex Nading documents how environmental justice activists are addressing the epidemic.
Dual-campus visit highlights A.D. White Professors-at-Large lineup
Best-selling writer and technology blogger Cory Doctorow will make the A.D. White Professor-at-Large program’s second dual-campus visit, ending his week at Cornell Tech in New York City. Four other professors will visit Cornell this fall.
2025 Nexus Scholars talk about academic growth, transformation
Ten students who participated in this summer's Nexus Scholars Program share their stories..
Mountains embodied: understanding head shaping in ancient Andes
Matthew Velasco argues that the reduction of head shape to a marker of ethnic identity has been a colonial invention.
History Center exhibit chronicles excavation at Ithaca’s ‘Freedom Church’
The exhibit on Ithaca’s St. James A.M.E. Zion Church will open on Juneteenth with a community event scheduled for 4 p.m.
Congrats to our Anthropology Graduates
UNDERGRADUATE MAJORAlexander Bentley – Summa Cum LaudeDevyn Bryant – Magna Cum LaudeJacqueline ChengCanyon Cross*Lucy Friedman – Magna Cum LaudeAnna Rose Marion – Summa Cum LaudeAerin MokLucas PierceMaya Pierce – Magna Cum LaudeJake RosenPriya SarmaBen UpshawAnthony WashingtonPeter Yacoub – Magna Cum Laude
Med student Grace Staes ’22 feels prepared for the work
Staes said her major in anthropology has proven to be an asset in medical school.
Outstanding faculty win 2025 teaching and advising awards
Among those being recognized for exceptional teaching and mentorship this year are faculty members Begüm Adalet, Claudia Verhoeven, and Marcelo Aguiar.
Featured Anthropology Major: Canyon Cross
Canyon Cross '25 shares his experiences majoring in anthropology as he reflects on his time at Cornell before graduation.
'Academic life becomes much more interesting when you see how its different areas can support one another.'
Aerin Mok is majoring in psychology and anthropology.
Featured Anthropology Minor: Shuqian Lyu
What is your major?Information Science, Performing and Media Arts, College Scholar Program
Featured Anthropology Major: Anna Rose Marion
Anna Rose Marion '25 shares her experiences majoring in anthropology as she reflects on her time at Cornell before graduation.
CIAMS members receive awards from Society for American Archaeology
Matthew Velasco, assistant professor of anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Anna Whittemore, doctoral candidate in anthropology, received awards from the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) at the SAA annual meeting on April 25.
Cornell anthropology opens Collaboratory May 14
The new Anthropology Collaboratory gathers many of the university’s anthropology collections and laboratories together in one place in Olin Library.
Featured Anthropology Major: Jacqueline Cheng
Jacqueline Cheng '25 shares her experiences majoring in anthropology as she reflects on her time at Cornell before graduation.
Featured Anthropology Major: Alexander Bentley
Alexander Bentley '25 shares his experiences majoring in anthropology as he reflects on his time at Cornell before graduation.
Featured Anthropology Major: Lucy Friedman
Lucy Friedman '25 shares her experiences majoring in anthropology as she reflects on her time at Cornell before graduation.
Featured Anthropology Minor: Emma Garcia
Emma Garcia '25 shares her experience minoring in anthropology as she reflects on her time at Cornell before graduation.
Conference explores post-Covid-19 global health biopolitics
A conference May 5-7, “The Biopolitics of Global Health After Covid-19,” will combine biopolitical and anthropological inquiry to spark a cross-disciplinary dialogue about (post-) pandemic discourses and practices of global health.
In ‘Silence’ spring conference, Fellows ‘attend to what is not there’
On April 25, seven Society for the Humanities’ Fellows will present their projects in progress during the annual Spring Fellows’ conference, highlighting the various ways that the theme of silence has been explored –
A&S undergrad unearths miniature Hercules statue in Italy
Each summer, CIAMS helps many Cornell students experience the thrill of archeological discovery.