Evolutionary Anthropology and Behavioral Ecology with Dr. David Lawson

UCSB Associate Professor Dr. David Lawson joins us on the podcast to introduce his work in behavioral ecology, evolutionary approaches to human behavioral diversity, and anthropological contributions to global health. We also discuss his childhood in Northern Ireland, and how he stumbled into a biology degree at University College London, and then found a love for Anthropology. We compare and contrast his experiences in University in the UK, as well as his experiences teaching at an American institution. He serves as the graduate advisor in the Anthropology dept and highlights how sometimes the American academia PhD track can be limiting. He talks about his dissertation, and his approach to the research; take existing data and learn about the research process and methodology before going out and collecting data. Diving into the complex topic of child marriage, Dr. Lawson explains the context, anthropological and societal reasoning behind this phenomena, how young women in early adolescents have agency, and how his work strives to understand it. For more information on Dr. Lawson and his work: https://www.news.ucsb.edu/2020/020047/child-marriage-misconceptions https://davidwlawson.mystrikingly.com/ Follow @thatanthropodcast on Instagram for more behind the scenes content. Brought to you in collaboration with the American Anthropological Association check out their podcast library here https://www.americananthro.org/StayInformed/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=1629