Applied Evolutionary Anthropology Lab
Department of Anthropology | University of California, Santa Barbara
Field team. August 2019. Mwanza, Tanzania.
What we do:
Our research concerns the behavioral ecology of the human family and the application of evolutionary anthropology to global health. We conduct field research in Mwanza, Tanzania in collaboration with the National Institute for Medical Research. We have four main research priorities:
Collaboration
Equitable partnership with local collaborators in field research.
e.g. Urassa et al. (in press). Cross-cultural research must prioritize equitable collaboration. Nature Human Behaviour.
Sexual Conflict
Understanding barriers to women’s empowerment and gender equality.
e.g. Lawson et al. (in review). He for She? Variation and exaggeration in men’s support for women’s empowerment in northern Tanzania.
Marriage
The evolution of marriage systems and the role of marriage in shaping wellbeing.
e.g. Schaffnit et al. (2019).Parent-offspring conflict unlikely to explain 'child marriage' in northwestern Tanzania. Nature Human Behavior.
Childhood
Parental care, child wellbeing and transitions to adulthood.
e.g. Hedges et al. (2019). Earning their keep? Fostering, children’s education and work in north-western Tanzania. Demographic Research.
David W Lawson
Associate Professor
HSSB Room 2055
Department of Anthropology
University of California, Santa Barbara
Email: dlawson@ucsb.edu
Twitter: @DavidWLawson
I am an evolutionary anthropologist and population health scientist with broad interests in the family, gender equality and human wellbeing. Originally from Northern Ireland, I moved to California and joined UCSB in 2016. I was previously based at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and at University College London, where I completed my PhD in Anthropology in 2009.
Lab Members
We are recruiting postdoctoral scholars, graduate and undergraduate researchers to join our lab! Get in touch to enquire about opportunities.
Graduate Student
Joseph is interested in sexual conflict, gender equality and understanding why some men are more supportive of women than others. Twitter: @JosephKilgallen
Graduate Student
Zhian has broad interests in human behavioral ecology, but especially shifts in parental investment and attitudes.
Twitter: @ZhianChen4
Lab Alumni
Susan Schaffnit
Postdoc (2017-2020)
Susie's postdoc considered 'child marriage' in Tanzania. She has since joined the Shenk Research Group at Penn State. Twitter: @DrSchaffnit.
PhD Completed 2021
Anushé's PhD considered childcare and child health in Tanzania. She is now a postdoc at LSHTM.
Twitter: @anushehassan.
PhD Completed 2019
Sophie's PhD considered children's work and schooling in Tanzania. Sophie is now a Mixed Methods Research Specialist at Coram International.
Maria Dardoumpa
Visiting Grad Student (2019)
Maria is a PhD student
at Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Madrid, and collaborated with us on qualitative data analysis.
Undergrads
Research Assistants
Kristopher Buranasombati,
Rachel Lynes,
Addison Morris,
Megan Kenner
Anthony Galura
Research Assistant (2019)
Anthony joined our field team in summer 2019, and is a master of all trades. We hope to work again together soon!
Publications
Google Scholar (can't find a PDF? Email us!)
Teaching
Anth209
Applied Evolutionary Anthropology
This graduate discussion-based course explores the relevance of evolutionary anthropology to contemporary efforts to improve human wellbeing, particularly in low and middle-income countries. It also provides an opportunity to consider the potential policy implications and ‘broader impacts’ of your own current/planned research – often a requirement for grant applications. In the 2020/21 academic year, this course will be arranged around the theme of understanding and dismantling patriarchy.
Anth170
Behavioral Ecology of the Family
In this course we utilize behavioral ecology as a theoretical framework to examine family relationships and global diversity in family structure. We will apply theoretical concepts such as life history theory, sexual selection and kin selection to different aspects of family life. Taking a broad comparative perspective, we also consider the application of behavioral ecology to non-human families.
Anth130
International Development and Population Health
This course considers the distribution and determinants of wellbeing in human populations, with an emphasis on low-income nations and the actions of the international development sector. Focus is placed on cultural/social determinants of health, including issues of gender equality. We will take a critical perspective on the tools used to measure population health and the design and evaluation of development policy and interventions.
© 2019