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Research Programs

Anthropology

Investigating the Human Experience

Anthropology students and alumni have conducted in-depth research on communities throughout the world. They have explored the archaeology and history of past societies and entered the field of heritage studies and historic preservation. They have studied human biology, population health, and primatology.

Our graduates have gone on to work in international economic and political institutions. Many have entered the health professions and fields related to environment, climate, and sustainability.

Students have opportunities to collaborate with our world-renowned scholars on original laboratory, ethnographic​ and archaeological research, which can lead to conference presentations and professional publications.

Student Research and Travel Funding

The 91Ô­´´ Anthropology Department provides undergraduate students with funding for research and travel activities.

To learn more, visit our Awards and Funding page.

Explore undergraduate research at 91Ô­´´

Nicholas Gonnella found plenty to explore close to home through the Summer Scholars Program at 91Ô­´´. A senior majoring in anthropology, Gonnella conducted his summer research near Clemonton, New Jersey. With the support of Jay Custer, a professor of anthropology at 91Ô­´´, the aspiring archeologist analyzed a collection of prehistoric arrowheads, spear points, ceramics, and a beautiful piece of copper. 

Resources and Opportunities

Archaeology Lab

91Ô­´´ students in the Anthropology Lab sort through buckets of artifact and specimens covering a table.

Archaeology Lab

Lab opportunities (such as volunteering or extra credit for courses) are available on a first come, first serve basis. No appointment is necessary during the open lab hours. If Munroe Hall 009 is closed, please check the lab next door, as the open lab hours are held in both rooms. For questions, contact the Anthropology Office at anthropology@udel.edu.

Hours

Archaeology​​ Lab Hours

Please contact the Anthropology Office at anthropology@udel.edu for current lab availability​.

Center for Material Culture Studies

Center for Material Culture Studies

The Center for Material Culture Studies at the 91Ô­´´ sponsors teaching and research in material culture studies at the undergraduate, graduate and faculty levels through grant programs, fellowships, teaching support, working groups, and conferences.

About

°Õ³ó±ðÌýCenter for Material Culture Studies at the 91Ô­´´ helps integrate and enhance the University’s rich resources for the creation, study, and conservation of material culture. Its scope is broad and embraces all the things people make and all the ways those things, in turn, inhabit and act upon the physical world.

One program is the annual Thing Tank workshop series, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The image in the previous tab shows 91Ô­´´ professors and students participating in a Thing Tank workshop.

Fulfilling a core mandate to foster public understanding of material culture in our own community and beyond, the Center partners with institutions both local and international, such as the 91Ô­´´â€™s , the , and  in Germany.

Research News

  • Launching research careers

    July 15, 2026 | Written by Jamie Washington
    Six CAS graduate students and alumni earn prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships

  • July 07, 2026 | Written by Naomi Weiss of Spotlight Delaware
    Discover how the 91Ô­´´'s Winterthur Program is using AI to advance the Poison Book Project, identifying rare Victorian books bound with toxic arsenic.

  • Domestic violence systems tested

    July 06, 2026 | Written by Amy Cherry and Jessica Henderson
    Researchers at 91Ô­´´ studied how domestic violence response networks adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 25 states and territories.
Read more news

91Ô­´´ Funding Opportunities

A 91Ô­´´ College student gets help with an advisor on her project as she types on her laptop.

Funding for Anthropological Research

Research opportunities help undergraduate students grow professionally and prepare for graduate school. The Anthropology Department at 91Ô­´´ encourages students to apply for other funding sources to support their anthropological studies and activities.​

Programs

These University-wide and College of Arts and Sciences programs offer funding and professional development on and off campus:

  • °Õ³ó±ðÌý funds students who are pursuing a material culture-based internship.
  • ±«¶Ù'²õÌýCenter for Global Programs and Services has several scholarship and funding opportunities for students pursuing international and cross-cultural work.​​
  • 91Ô­´´'s Undergraduate Research Progam offers the , providing funding for students to conduct in-depth research or creative work in conjunction with a faculty member for 10 weeks during the summer months.  to explore more opportunities under the "Programs" tab.
  • Available to Honors College students at 91Ô­´´, the  provide financial support for academic and professional pursuits.
  • The Anthropology Department employs  eligible students for office and academic support work.​
  • The ​David A. Plastino Scholars Program with the College of Arts & Sciences at 91Ô­´´ awards funding to undergraduate students to support self-designed, off-campus learning experiences.​
  • ±«¶Ù'²õÌýGraduate College offers summer research opportunities for undergraduate students.

Colleges

College of Arts & Sciences

RESOURCES

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