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Areas of Excellence

The Department of Anthropology at Notre Dame recognizes that the four sub-fields of anthropology often bring different, complementary answers to the question of ‘what it means to be human.’ We also go beyond siloed approaches to enhance our research and teaching by actively integrating across the sub-fields. Through this purposeful approach to our projects, collaborations, teaching, and department community we have built strengths in three areas of excellence that transcend the boundaries of the four sub-fields: Movement of Peoples, Health & Well-being, and Environment and Culture. These areas of excellence reflect self-identified domains that our department has chosen to emphasize after years of careful self-evaluation and purposeful, ongoing growth to address pressing global questions.

  1. Four researchers conduct fieldwork in arid scrubland under a blue sky. One person in a brown hat digs in the soil with an auger. Another records data on a clipboard, while two others examine test samples.

    Environment and Culture

    Notre Dame’s Anthropology Department leads in studying human-environment interactions, focusing on cultural resilience, environmental justice, and sustainability.

  2. An adult in a grey shirt and blue gloves collects a cheek swap from a child.

    Health and Well-being

    Notre Dame’s Anthropology Department excels in examining the interplay of culture, social experiences, and health, addressing global health issues through holistic research.

  3. Children and young adults march on a dusty street, holding pink signs.

    Movement of Peoples

    Notre Dame’s Anthropology Department leads in studying human migration, focusing on the environmental, social, and political drivers and impacts of displacement.