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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 UD Anthropology Department provides undergraduate students with funding for research and travel activities.

To learn more, visit our Awards and Funding page.

University of Delaware student Nicholas Gonnella sits inside a research laboratory at a table covvers with arrowheads, spear points and ceramics and writes notes in a notebook.

Explore undergraduate research at UD

Nicholas Gonnella found plenty to explore close to home through the Summer Scholars Program at UD. 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 UD, the aspiring archeologist analyzed a collection of prehistoric arrowheads, spear points, ceramics, and a beautiful piece of copper. 

Visit the Undergraduate Research Program to discover more opportunities at UD.

Resources and Opportunities

Archaeology Lab

University of Delaware 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

Two University of Delaware professors and a graduate student sit at a table with colorful textiles and yarn and work together on rag projects.

Center for Material Culture Studies

The Center for Material Culture Studies at the University of Delaware 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.

Learn more about the Center for Material Culture Studies

About

The Center for Material Culture Studies at the University of Delaware 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 UD 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 University of Delaware’s Special Collections, the Hagley Museum and Library, and Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz in Germany.

Research News

  • The neuroscience of eating

    January 29, 2026 | Written by Hilary Douwes
    UD professor discovers neural network that could unlock the mystery of how we decide what food is rewarding

  • Star power

    January 20, 2026 | Written by Tracey Bryant
    Physics graduate student helps lead global effort to reveal universe’s hidden wonders

  • Environmental Innovation in Action

    January 13, 2026 | Written by Matthew Henderson
    Ph.D. candidate in fashion wins Pitch:90 grand prize for speech on sustainable fashion research.
Read more news

UD Funding Opportunities

A University of Delaware 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 UD 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:

  • The Center for Material Culture Studies funds students who are pursuing a material culture-based internship.
  • UD's Center for Global Programs and Services has several scholarship and funding opportunities for students pursuing international and cross-cultural work.​​
  • UD's Undergraduate Research Progam offers the Summer Scholars Program, 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. Visit the Undergraduate Research Progr​am to explore more opportunities under the "Programs" tab.
  • Available to Honors College students at UD, the Honors Enrichment Funds provide financial support for academic and professional pursuits.
  • The Anthropology Department employs work-study​ eligible students for office and academic support work.​
  • The ​David A. Plastino Scholars Program with the College of Arts & Sciences at UD awards funding to undergraduate students to support self-designed, off-campus learning experiences.​
  • UD's Graduate College offers summer research opportunities for undergraduate students.

Colleges

College of Arts & Sciences

RESOURCES

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