Anthropology students have been presenting their work at the Petersheim Academic Exposition since 2004. This multi-year project showcases original student research relating to various modes of anthropological research, presented to an audience of peers, but is unique in that our panels have the formal participation of a faculty member or graduate student as discussant.

Students need not be Anthropology majors or minors but the papers themselves must actively incorporate anthropological research methods such as ethnography, or engage in related research issues of anthropological import. If you have a paper that you wish to be considered for the series, or have questions about how to present your research in similar venues, please contact any member of faculty in the Anthropology program.

Emma and Ezra bright and early at the AABA, 12 Mar 2025. Photo by J. Dimka.

Ezra Jimenez and Emma Potts (at left) joined Dr. Jessica Dimka at the 94th American Association of Biological Anthropology (AABA) Conference in Baltimore, MD! AABA is the flagship professional association of Biological Anthropologists and getting a poster accepted is a high bar, congratulations to both and cheers to Dr. Dimka’s mentorship! They will present a version of their research focusing on the biocultural drivers and consequences delayed care during this year’s Anthropology in the Real World showcase at the 2025 Petersheim Academic Exposition. 

Dr. Dimka’s research and the students’ participation were funded by a 2024-2025 Seton Hall University Research Council Grant.

Researchers involved in the project “Patient Perspectives on Delayed Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” led by Dr. Jessica Dimka at Seton Hall University want to learn about participants’ experiences with unintentional or intentional delayed health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants can do an online interview, fill out a survey, or both. To learn more or express interest, start here or contact Dr. Dimka (jessica.dimka@shu.edu) to receive a flyer with more information.

Listen to Dr. Jacob Weger’s conversation with Seton Hall leadership students on the environmental impacts of the Israel-Hamas war on Spotify.

Hear Dr. Quizon’s early experiments in food blogging (connecting Seton Hall students and alumni in faraway lands) and how a multi-year language blog continues to create surprising engagements on Podbean.

On November 12, 2024, Anthropology students met the film makers of People vs Agent Orange during a pre-screening meet-and-greet in Jubilee. On a cold and blustery evening, the directors Alan Edelson and Kate Taverna shared coffee and hot cocoa with Anthropology majors and minors whose broad backgrounds and interests in history, biology, criminal justice made for many vibrant exchanges. The film makers came to Seton Hall upon the invitation of Dr. Jacob Weger, lead faculty in the Environmental Studies Program and Anthropologist. They spoke about the film and joined a panel discussion with folks from the EPA and Newark community groups focused on environmental challenges arising from the manufacture of Agent Orange in Newark.

L-R Leo C., Kate Taverna (partial), Alan Edelson, Dr. Quizon, Dr. Weger, Elizabeth F., Helen J., Dr. Dimka, Kolu K.

The Anthropology Program is proud to partner with Environmental Studies, led by director Tom Rzeznik, in providing formal and informal learning opportunities in support of innovative programs and events such as these.

In partnership with the Sociology Honor Society Alpha Kappa Delta, Seton Hall’s Anthropology Honor Society Lambda Alpha will induct new members this Friday 3 May from 11 am to 12:30 pm at the Jubilee Hall Faculty Library, 6th Floor JH 669. New inductees, faculty and alumni speakers Jillian Guzik (for AKD) and Maria Barca (for LA) will gather over lunch for this biannual event to honor students and their academic achievements! Contact Drs. Anthony Haynor (Sociology, haynoran@shu.edu) or Cherubim Quizon (Anthropology, quizonch@shu.edu) for more details.

Once again, students will present their research at the multi-year project Anthropology in the Real World held at the Petersheim Academic Exposition April 24, 2024 at 11 am (Corrigan 62) and at 3:30 pm (Jubilee 211). This year, the morning panel explores the Anthropology of Digital Things:

L-R: Dr. Olessia Vovina (host), Dr. Jessica Dimka (faculty discussant), Melissa Myrtaj, Helen Jakubowicz & Dr. Cherubim Quizon (organizer).

Helen Jakubowicz, Melissa Myrtaj and Lejla Behric share their ongoing projects focusing on digital research  that look into the problem with paywalls, investigative aesthetics using open source data and alternative metrics in public anthropology. In the afternoon, Tiya Antony, Leo Chu and Emma Potts share their findings on Ethnography: Participating Observers by analyzing failed speech at a church fete, code switching in soup kitchen service and informal speech among females in Greek life.

Emma Potts, Leo Chu, Tiya Anthony & Dr. Peter Savastano (faculty discussant)

At the end of the day, students and faculty gather for another informal Anthropology Meet and Greet at Jubilee 517 Conference Room.

Check out the student projects, download the flyer here Anthropology@Petersheim_2024!

David Kraiker of the US Census Bureau presents a talk “Understanding US Census Language Data: A Primer for Students” on  Wednesday Dec 7th  2-3:15 pm in CH 64. It’s open to the public so feel free to invite friends interested in languages in the US and how to think about cultural and linguistic diversity in informed, data-driven ways. If time permits, our speaker will also talk about Federal jobs for social sciences and humanities majors.

Dr. Jacob Weger, Anthropologist and Lecturer in Environmental Studies at Seton Hall speaks to Linguistic Anthropology students on “Language Landscapes in Vietnam – Reflections on Fieldwork” Nov 16, Wed 3 pm CH64. Watch this space to hear what students have to say about the event.