Exploring the Past to Confront Today’s Environmental Challenges 

Co-edited by UofM’s Dr. Amanda Gaggioli; highlights the role of history in addressing global crises

American Anthropologist—the flagship journal of the American Anthropological Association—will publish a special issue co-edited by Dr. Amanda Gaggioli (UofM) and Dr. R. Alexander Hunter (Stanford University), titled “Vital Topics Forum: Archaeology, Politics, and Environmental Crisis.” Gaggioli is an assistant professor in History at the University of Memphis. 

This timely issue brings together 13 prominent scholars from institutions such as the University of Chicago, Stanford University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Their contributions explore how understanding the human past can illuminate critical global issues including climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental justice, and sustainable development—key areas that align with the FedEx Institute of Technology’s commitment to applied, impact-driven research. 

The publication stems from an interdisciplinary conference organized at Brown University and highlights the University of Memphis’s growing national presence in research that bridges historical insight with contemporary global relevance. 

2025 Gaggioli, A., Hunter, R.A. Introduction for Gaggioli, A., Hunter, R.A. (Eds.)  Vital Topics Forum: Archaeology, Politics, and Environmental Crisis. American Anthropologist. http://doi.org/10.1111/aman.28106