Department of Anthropology at Illinois

🏆 Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Image of Research competition! We are simply amazed by the diversity and beauty of graduate student research on our campus.

🎤 1ST PRIZE - Visions of Freedom by Michelle Patiño-Flores (Anthropology) - Department of Anthropology at Illinois

🐛 2ND PRIZE - Unseen World of Ultraviolet Insects by Alexa Rojas (Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences) - Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences at Illinois

🧬 3RD PRIZE - Synthetic Symbiosis: A Cruelty-Free Future by Kevin Huang (Electrical & Computer Engineering) - Illinois ECE

🐎 HONORABLE MENTION - The Beginning of Becoming by Jaden Thompson (Veterinary Medicine) - University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

💃 PEOPLE'S CHOICE Move by Syed Faizaan Ahab (Art Education) - College of Fine & Applied Arts at Illinois

📸 Check out the online exhibit at https://go.grad.illinois.edu/image-of-research-exhibit

Centering community in urban planning | Department of Latina/Latino Studies | Illinois Q&A with Latina/Latino studies and anthropology alum C. Lucio, the executive assistant to the general superintendent for participatory budgeting at the Chicago Park District.

Anthropology student Lysette Valdez was selected to speak at the 2026 Sociology, Anthropology, and Interdisciplinary Studies Convocation! 🎉Congratulations, Lysette! 🎉

Are you interested in taking courses during the Spring 2026 semester? Here are some courses you may want to consider!

Are you interested in taking biological anthropology courses for the Fall 2026 semester? 🧪🧬 Here are a few courses that may be of interest. Check out ✨Course Explorer✨ for more information!

GASA is hosting a game night this Wednesday from 6:00 - 8:00 PM! Come spend time with your fellow anthro grad students. Feel free to bring a dish or game to share!

Last month, Illinois Anthropology Professor Dr. Maldonado and students showcased their work from the Fall 2025 Collaborative Methodologies course at the LAS Get Experience Expo. The students developed a "Know Your Rights" (KYR) brochure, designed to assist Spanish and Q'anjob'al speakers navigating the Traffic Court System. Read the full story here: https://anthro.illinois.edu/news/2026-03-06/dr-maldonado-and-students-showcase-anthropological-solutions-real-world-challenges

Congratulations to Illinois Anthropology Professor Dr. R. Elizabeth Velásquez Estrada on the recent publication of Fugitive Anthropology, a book she co-edited with Shanya Cordis, Maya J. Berry, Claudia Chávez Argüelles, and Sarah Ihmoud. The volume explores the power relations that racialized, gendered, and sexualized researchers grapple with while conducting activist research. See the full news story here: https://anthro.illinois.edu/news/2026-03-06/dr-r-elizabeth-velasquez-estrada-co-editor-new-publication-fugitive-anthropology

Congratulations to UIUC Anthropology Professor Dr. Jenny Davis, Krystiana Krupa, and Dr. Jayne-Leigh Thomas on being awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. This grant will help them continue their Intensive NAGPRA Summer Training & Education Program!