Kristina Douglass
Meet Kristina Douglass, an IEE co-fund and College of Liberal Arts faculty member. One thing she wants you to know about her research is that there are lessons we can learn from the past about coping with climate change.
Douglass investigates human-environment interaction in Madagascar using archaeological, ethnohistorical, ethnographic and biological data to understand the dynamic relationship between communities and their environment over time.
Current department/college/title
Department of Anthropology, College of the Liberal Arts, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and African Studies
Alma maters
Dartmouth College (AB); Yale (MPhil, DPhil)
Why do you do what you do?
I became an archaeologist because I believe in the power of storytelling. Storytelling is fundamental to human evolution and is what defines humans as a species. Our ability to pass stories and knowledge from one generation to the next is what gave humans the power to innovate new technologies and move from our original home on the African mainland and settle every corner of the planet. We have all had the experience of learning from our elders, those who came before us.
Favorite thing about Penn State
I love that if you have an idea for a research project, there is so much support, expertise, possibility for collaboration, and incredible instrumentation to help you answer research questions.
Most interesting place your work has taken you
Madagascar’s Mikea Forest
Favorite Creamery flavor
Happy Happy Joy Joy
Secret talent/random fun fact
I am a SCUBA instructor, horseback rider, singer, dancer and Capoeirista, who loves to garden and bake.
What is the most important thing you want people to know about your research?
As an archaeologist I know there are stories, lessons, we can learn from the past about coping with climate change. If we think about it, we have millions of years of cumulative human experience on the planet to learn from. That blows my mind. Archaeology is a science that helps us literally uncover stories that might otherwise be lost to time.
Pets
Rhodesian ridgeback named Dart, two cats named Matiu and Samba and a fish named Gill
Most-used app on your phone
Spotify
Learn more about Kristina Douglass and her research.
