UCF Department of Anthropology

10/22/2026

TONIGHT'S THE KNIGHT!

The UCF Department of Anthropology is joining the Halloween fun at UCF Women's Soccer Fright Knight!

Come cheer on the Knights as they take on Cincinnati and enjoy a night filled with soccer, UCF spirit, and spooky fun!

• TONIGHT, October 22
• 7:00 PM
• UCF Soccer Complex | 4275 E Plaza Drive

More than just soccer!

•Halloween activities & costumes encouraged
• Faculty and staff recognition on the field
• Anthropology display table
• Postgame group photo on the field
• Special Fright Mode jerseys

Wear your black and gold, bring your Knight spirit, and stop by our Anthropology table to say hello!

CHARGE ON!

10/21/2026

Lunch & Learn: Uncovering the History of W**e Using Ancient DNA!

Join the UCF Department of Anthropology for a Lunch & Learn featuring Dr. Nathan Wales, Senior Lecturer in Archaeological Science at the University of York.

Dr. Wales is an ancient DNA specialist whose research focuses on plant domestication and crop utilization. Through the analysis of DNA from archaeological plant remains, he investigates the history of crops such as maize, grapevines, and sunflowers.

His presentation, “A Taste for Novel Research: Uncovering the History of W**e Using Ancient DNA,” will focus on the history of w**e using ancient DNA research.

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
🕛 12:00 PM
📍 HPH 409M

Bring your lunch and get ready to learn!

10/20/2026

Join us for the next Kent Family Speaker Series featuring Dr. Amanda D. Concha-Holmes, Applied Ecological and Visual Anthropologist and Founder and Director of the I.R.I.E. Center!

Dr. Concha-Holmes will present “Evoking the Complexity of Black Lives in the US South: Excavating the Untold Stories,” exploring how ethnography, art, and collaborative storytelling can uncover overlooked histories, celebrate Black creativity and resilience, and help envision more inclusive futures.

- Thursday, November 12, 2026
- 6:00–7:00 PM
- SPRK 101 (formerly UCF Global Building)
- Zoom registration: https://go.ucf.edu/4BaqZim

We hope to see you there!

10/19/2026

Thinking about a Ph.D. in Anthropology?

Applications are now open for Fall 2027 admission to UCF’s Integrative Anthropological Sciences Ph.D. program.

Explore interdisciplinary doctoral research across Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, and Cultural Anthropology, with opportunities for fieldwork, lab research, advanced methodological training, and close faculty mentorship.

Application deadline: December 1

Scan the QR code in the carousel or visit
https://sciences.ucf.edu/anthropology/integrated-anthropological-sciences-ph-d/
to learn more and apply.

10/16/2026

Today’s the day!

We're celebrating 20 years of UCF Anthropology, and the fun doesn't stop at the Open House!

Join us for the Official After Party at Burger U! Whether you've been celebrating with us all day or are just stopping by for the festivities, we'd love to see you there!

10/15/2026

Two nights. Two matches. One frightfully good time!

The UCF Department of Anthropology is joining UCF Men's and Women's Soccer for FRIGHT KNIGHT, and you're invited to join the fun!

📅 October 22 | Women's Soccer vs. Cincinnati | 7 PM
📅 October 29 | Men's Soccer vs. Georgia State | 7 PM
📍 UCF Soccer Complex

There's more than just soccer to look forward to!

- Anthropology display table
- Faculty and staff recognition on the field
- Postgame group photo on the field
- Brand-new Fright Mode jerseys
- Halloween activities
- Costumes encouraged!

Come cheer on the Knights, connect with our Anthropology community, and enjoy two evenings of soccer and spooky fun!

Charge On!

10/14/2026

From shipwrecks and lighthouse keepers to the history of maritime navigation, Florida’s lighthouses have fascinating stories to tell!

We’re excited to share that Dr. Sarah “Stacy” Barber from the UCF Department of Anthropology is featured in The History of Florida Lighthouses: Shipwrecks, Keepers and Navigation.

Explore Florida’s maritime history and discover the stories behind these iconic coastal landmarks!
Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zld9HvEIeR0

10/13/2026

Celebrating excellence in anthropology!✨

Congratulations to Dr. Kate Spradley, named a 2026 MacArthur Fellow for her groundbreaking work in forensic anthropology! Dr. Spradley is helping identify and repatriate the remains of migrants who died along the Texas–Mexico border, bringing answers to families and advancing humanitarian forensic science.

The prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, often called the “Genius Grant,” recognizes exceptional creativity and the potential for significant contributions to society.

Since the fellowship program began in 1981, more than 30 anthropologists have received this prestigious recognition, highlighting the discipline's remarkable contributions across generations.

To celebrate Dr. Spradley's achievement, we're highlighting just a few of these Fellows and the extraordinary breadth and impact of their work.

From archaeology and human evolution to cultural identity, public health, migration, and human rights, their contributions demonstrate how anthropology helps us better understand our world and address some of its most pressing challenges.

Different specialties. Extraordinary contributions. One discipline.

Swipe to meet some of the Fellows!

Want to learn more about the MacArthur Fellowship and its recipients? Visit the MacArthur Foundation's website: https://www.macfound.org/programs/awards/fellows/

10/12/2026

10/08/2026

Join us tomorrow for our Anthropology Lunch & Learn!

Come support four of our UCF Anthropology Ph.D. students as they share their research on human history, mobility, human development, and craniofacial variation!

🎓 Featuring:
• Rhayth Benouitiq
• Tannishta Chakraborty
• Jared Jordan
• Catherine Shipman

📅 Friday, October 9
🕛 12:00 p.m.
📍 HPH 409M | UCF

Bring your lunch, learn something new, and support our graduate student researchers!

We hope to see you there! 💛🖤