Barbara Rose Johnston Travel Award is a $1000 competitive grant to allow a society member at any stage in their career who lack institutional support to attend the AAA annual meeting and formally participate in Environment and Anthropology Society sessions. This competition is open to any member of the Society who lacks institutional support for conference travel, including those working for government agencies (federal, state, local, and tribal governments), nonprofits, community colleges, consultants, international scholars, and contingent faculty.
The Department of Anthropology is pleased to announce that Ph.D. candidate Kiana Sakimehr has been awarded the John F. Richards Fellowship by the American Institute of Afghanistan Studies (AIAS). This institute is a private and non-profit organization located at Boston University and headed by scholars to promote and support the study of Afghanistan.
Kiana will use the funds to cover expenses related to her field research that focuses on Afghan refugees who recently arrived in the US. She intends to investigate the often-neglected emotional aspect of migration and how it shapes peoples’ interpretations and perceptions of their new reality as refugees. By focusing on the wide-ranging functions of emotions, her project examines the possible reconfiguration of and transitions in emotions with regards to expectations of living in the US. Moreover, her study explores the role of institutional structural possibilities and constraints regarding these transitions in emotions. Kiana acknowledges the support she has received from her committee members, specifically her advisor Dr. Chantal Tetreault.
Department of Anthropology Associate Professor Dr. Masako Fujita and co-authors Katherine Wander, Tin Tran, and Eleanor Brindle recently published an article in the American Journal of Biological Anthropology. The article is titled “Characterizing the extent human milk folate is buffered against maternal malnutrition and infection in drought-stricken northern Kenya.” This publication investigates whether and how the extent of maternal buffering of milk folate may diminish under prolonged nutritional and disease stress, while taking into consideration infants’ varying vulnerability to malnutrition-related morbidity/mortality. The results of this study suggest that mothers buffer milk folate against their own nutritional stress even during a prolonged drought; however, the extent of this buffering may vary with infant age, and, among folate-deficient mothers, with infant sex.
Objectives: Folate is an essential nutrient fundamental to human growth and development. Human milk maintains high folate content across the maternal folate status range, suggesting buffering of milk folate with prioritized delivery to milk at the expense of maternal depletion. We investigated whether and how the extent of this buffering may diminish under prolonged nutritional and/or disease stress, while taking into consideration infants’ varying vulnerability to malnutrition-related morbidity/mortality.
Methods: A cross-sectional study analyzed milk specimens from northern Kenyan mothers (n=203), surveyed during a historic drought and ensuing food shortage. Multiple regression models for folate receptor-α(FOLR1) in milk were constructed. Predictors included maternal underweight (BMI < 18.5), iron-deficiency anemia (hemoglobin <12 g/dl and dried-blood-spot transferrin receptor >5 mg/L), folate deficiency (hyperhomocysteinemia, homocysteine >12 or 14μmol/L), inflammation (serum C-reactive protein >5 mg/L), infant age and sex, and mother-infant interactions.
Results: In adjusted models, milk FOLR1 was unassociated with maternal under-weight, iron-deficiency anemia and inflammation. FOLR1 was positively associated with maternal folate deficiency, and inversely associated with infant age. There was interaction between infant age and maternal underweight, and between infant sex and maternal folate deficiency, predicting complex changes in FOLR1.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that mothers buffer milk folate against their own nutritional stress even during a prolonged drought; however, the extent of this buffering may vary with infant age, and, among folate-deficient mothers, with infant sex. Future research is needed to better understand this variability in maternal buffering of milk folate and how it relates to folate status in nursing infants.
Department of Anthropology Associate ProfessorDr. Elizabeth Drexler publishes in the International Journal of Transitional Justice. The article, titled, “Impunity and Transitional Justice in Indonesia: Aksi Kamisan’s Circular Time” argues the Indonesian weekly Thursday silent protests by victims’ families, create sites of justice bringing together technical legal demands with compelling artistic performance to highlight the problem of persistent but invisible impunity, counter the legacies of authoritarian era social stigmatization, and expose the problematic nature of temporality in conventional transitional justice mechanisms.
Abstract: This article positions the Indonesian weekly Thursday silent protests by victims’ families, Aksi Kamisan, as a space of and beyond transitional justice. Analysing Kamisan as repeated, embodied creative acts that reset perceptions, possibilities and imaginations about social belonging, political subjectivity and national identity discloses how authoritarian era affective forces undermine transitional justice and demonstrates the power of alternative temporalities in coming to terms with past violence. ‘Circular time’ brings past and present injustice into the same frame as consistent action extending into the future. Circular time highlights how the time of waiting, uncertainty and lack of justice extends backward and forward connecting past, present and future in the repetition of impunity, and creates community and the space to imagine just futures. Circular time is created by repeated action against impunity in the present and celebrating the perseverance, consistency and agency of victims. Circular time resists the imposition of temporal linearity. Art performed at Kamisan and the act of standing in solidarity engages communities and audiences in a realm of politics and national belonging that is not possible in formal institutions. Over time, these repeated, temporary, inclusive actions can counter still resonant authoritarian era propaganda.
Department of Anthropology Ph.D. student Emily Milton published her Master of Arts research in the Journal of Archaeological Science with co-authors Dr. Kurt Rademaker, Dr. Nathan D. Stansell (Northern Illinois University), Drs Hervé Bocherens and Döbereiner Chala-Aldana (University of Tübingen, Germany), and Annalis Brownlee (University of Alaska-Anchorage). The article, titled, “Examining surface water δ18O and δ2H values in the western Central Andes: A watershed moment for anthropological mobility studies,” reviews the isotopic patterning of surface waters in the western Peruvian Andes and implications for archaeological and forensic migration research. Emily’s research was funded by a National Science Foundation grant (PI: Dr. Rademaker) and the William A Lovis Research Fund in Environmental Archaeology.
Abstract: Oxygen isotopes are commonly applied to study archaeological human and animal mobility among the vertical ecological zones of the Central Andes in South America. Such research assumes that oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in meteoric waters demonstrate an inverse relationship with elevation. However, because the primary source of precipitation in the Central Andes is the Atlantic Ocean, this expectation is likely complicated by surface-level processes on the western Andean slope. We evaluate the spatial patterning of stable isotope values in surface waters along a coast-highland transect in southern Peru (∼15-17°S). Surface water δ18O and δ2H values in the study area are consistent with regional and global meteoric waters. However, lowland and highland surface waters demonstrate wide variability and overlapping ranges of surface water isotope values. Therefore, it is challenging to discern the origin of surface waters based on elevation alone. Rather, surface water δ18O and δ2H values appear to reflect hydrologic processes including seasonality, stream order, catchment size, and distance from the source. We identify the “Watershed Effect,” which precludes the use of δ18O and δ2H in Andean bioarchaeological studies of inter-zonal mobility. Moreover, changing hydroclimate over the Holocene and present sampling precision for biological analytes confound existing interpretations of δ18O derived from archaeological bioapatite. Given the regional complexities of δ18Owater presented here, isotopic assessments of human paleomobility require better baseline data than those currently available for the Central Andes. We contend that previous archaeological datasets using δ18Obioapatite to assess mobility between high and low elevations should be re-evaluated. Further, future studies should provide adequate baseline data to justify archaeological analyses and support subsequent interpretations.
Department of Anthropology Associate Professor Dr. Joe Hefner and Ph.D. Candidate Micayla Spiros and co-authors Sherry Nakhaeizadeh, Tim J.U. Thompson, Ruth M. Morgan, Viktor Olsson, Alexandra Berivoe, and Martin Arvidsson published their work in the University of Florida Press’ Forensic Anthropology Journal. The article is titled “Using Eye-Tracking Technology to Quantify the Effect of Experience and Education on Forensic Anthropological Analyses.” The article discusses how the human interpretation of analytical outputs is a significant challenge in forensic science, making it vital to explore the application of protocols as we enhance our practices. This study assesses decision making in forensic anthropological analyses utilizing eye-tracking technology to quantify an observer’s estimate of confidence and reliability. The manuscript focuses on empirical decision-making studies, forensic anthropologists can improve practices—increasing the transparency of evaluative decision making by targeting confusing or problematic aspects of a data collection practice, and in so doing, enhance training.
Abstract: “The human interpretation of analytical outputs is a significant challenge in forensic science, making it vital to explore the application of protocols as we enhance our practices. This study assesses decision making in forensic anthropological analyses utilizing eye-tracking technology to quantify an observer’s estimate of confidence and reliability. Ten individuals with varying levels of education and experience were asked to score cranial morphologies for two human crania. Each participant’s fixation points, fixation duration, and visit count and duration were assessed using Tobii™ Pro 2 eye-tracking glasses. Mid-facial morphologies capturing relative widths were the quickest scored traits, with an overall median time of 14.59 seconds; more complex morphological assessments took longer. Using time as a proxy for confidence, Kruskal-Wallis rank sum results indicate individuals with less experience differed significantly from individuals with greater experience (p = 0.01) although differences in level of education were not significant. Interestingly, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) indicate interobserver reliability is high between observers, suggesting experience only slightly improves agreement. These preliminary results suggest experience is more important than level of education. Through empirical decision making studies, forensic anthropologists can improve practices—increasing the transparency of evaluative decision making by targeting confusing or problematic aspects of a data collection practice, and in so doing, enhance training.”
Department of Anthropology Associate Professor Dr. Masako Fujita and co-authors Katherine Wander, Siobhan Mattison, Blandina Mmbaga and others publish in Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health.
The article is titled “Tradeoffs in milk immunity affect infant infectious disease risk.” The article discusses research on milk immune activity, a new area of research, among almost 100 breastfeeding mother–infant dyads in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
The study used a new lab-based technique and described how mothers’ milk differed in their immune responses to some bacteria, and followed the infants to see whether those receiving milk with stronger responses in lab were less likely to develop infectious diseases.
They found support for this with the infectious agent Salmonella. Infants receiving milk with stronger pro-inflammatory responses to Salmonella had lower risk for respiratory infections during the 2.5 months follow-up period. However, they also found the opposite pattern with a non-infectious bacterium. Infants receiving milk that responded strongly to the benign strains of E. coli (that tends to exist harmoniously in our digestive systems) had higher risk for gastrointestinal infections. Moreover, milk responses to Salmonella tended to co-occur with responses to E.coli, suggesting that milk with strong immune responses have potential to decrease risk for some infections but increase others among infants.
Their findings make sense in that immune protections often come with collateral damage because the immune system does not always differentiate pathogenic from benign targets, giving rise to allergies and auto-immune conditions, for example. Still, the study’s discovery of protective and harmful effects of milk immune activity on infant infectious disease risk comes as a bit of surprise because we tend to think of milk as the mighty fluid that does no harm. The reality seems a bit more complicated, calling for future research to clarify how the immune system of milk has evolved to strike a balance between protection and harm.
The human immune system has evolved to balance protection against infection with control of immune-mediated damage and tolerance of commensal microbes. Such tradeoffs between protection and harm almost certainly extend to the immune system of milk.
Methodology
Among breastfeeding mother–infant dyads in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, we characterized in vitro proinflammatory milk immune responses to Salmonella enterica (an infectious agent) and Escherichia coli (a benign target) as the increase in interleukin-6 after 24 h of incubation with each bacterium. We characterized incident infectious diseases among infants through passive monitoring. We used Cox proportional hazards models to describe associations between milk immune activity and infant infectious disease.
Results
Among infants, risk for respiratory infections declined with increasing milk in vitro proinflammatory response to S. enterica (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.54, 0.86; P: 0.001), while risk for gastrointestinal infections increased with increasing milk in vitro proinflammatory response to E. coli (HR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.99; P: 0.022). Milk proinflammatory responses to S. enterica and E. coli were positively correlated (Spearman’s rho: 0.60; P: 0.000).
Conclusions and implications
These findings demonstrate a tradeoff in milk immune activity: the benefits of appropriate proinflammatory activity come at the hazard of misdirected proinflammatory activity. This tradeoff is likely to affect infant health in complex ways, depending on prevailing infectious disease conditions. How mother–infant dyads optimize proinflammatory milk immune activity should be a central question in future ecological–evolutionary studies of the immune system of milk.”
Department of Anthropology Assistant Professor Dr. Lucero Radonic, Ph.D. Candidate Cara Jacob, alumna Dr. Rowen Kalman, and community partner Yvonne Lewis co-publish in Case Studies in the Environment. The article is titled “Questionable Quality: Using Photovoice to Document Women’s Experiences of Water Insecurity in Flint, USA.” The article discusses a Flint, Michigan based community-based participatory research project documenting grassroots narratives about the impacts of water insecurity on the lives of women.
Abstract: “Household water insecurity is a global problem; one not escaped by residents of high-income nations. In this article, we review a community-based participatory research (CBPR) project conducted in Flint, MI, to document grassroots narratives about the impacts of water insecurity on the lives of women. In 2014, Flint residents found themselves connected to modern water infrastructure that delivered potable water contaminated by lead and pathogens. Through a photovoice method, participating women documented how experiences of water insecurity continues to impact their lives many years after state authorities declared the water crisis to be over. This study adds to a growing literature that highlights how the “adequateness” of water quality is not a stable or self-evident condition for there are different frameworks for water cleanliness, safety, and risk. With attention to methodology, this case study emphasizes the importance of legitimizing the embodied experience of participants through research design and implementation. This CBPR project contributes to the existing toolbox of methods for studying household water insecurity by complementing the growing literature on security metrics with a narrative-focused approach to documenting women’s lived experiences of water insecurity. Finally, the article invites readers to consider how and to what degree to mobilize participatory approaches to understand conditions and lived experiences of resource insecurity without further stigmatizing or exploiting impacted communities.”
“I’ve made life-long friends that I have met in my Anthropology classes,” said senior Jackson Schooley, who graduated May 2022 with a degree in Anthropology. A lifelong learner of language and people, Jackson found the human-centric discipline in the MSU Department of Anthropology to be a perfect marriage of his interests.
“Anthropology gives us a unique role to play in the fight against injustices: one characterized by empathy, curiosity, and a deep understanding of the ways contemporary issues intersect with other aspects of our lives and identities.”
Schooley sees his major as a tool that can help address the things that affect people across the planet.
“It’s a way to understand the diversity of the world and a vital medium to connect, study, and analyze different ways to mitigate issues we are seeing and experiencing now,” he said.
During his time at MSU, Schooley’s favorite class he took was ANP 420, Anthropology of Language and Culture, with Professor Chantal Tetreault. This class focuses on the ways in which languages influence our worldviews and the cultural context of languages.
“I think the format of the classes, which are discussion based, collaborative, etc., truly lets you make connections with really cool people.”
As an undergraduate research assistant, Schooley worked under Dr. Emilio Moran researching Michigan’s aging dam infrastructure and its ties to economics and climate resilience, along with issues of energy injustice within the state. He worked in the position for three and a half years exploring the realm of community energy, advocating for local marginalized communities and writing articles to be published in journals.
“I truly feel as though my efforts and time in this position have contributed to making this world a more just place- which is always the ultimate goal of my work.”
The MSU Department of Anthropology selected Schooley as the 2022 outstanding graduating senior.
“Jackson is the most promising and best prepared undergraduate in sociocultural anthropology I have met during my time at MSU,” Dr. Lucero Radonic said, Associate Professor of Anthropology and nominator for the award. “He is a brilliant young scholar and a kind student with a disposition towards collective learning in class.”
After his graduation, Schooley will have an internship in sustainability management for the City of Lansing. Upon its conclusion, he has a goal of going into policy work, strengthening the preexisting texts and “introducing new, more comprehensive, and intersectionality-cognizant policy that is aimed at increasing climate resilience in infrastructure.” After a few years in the job market, he plans on attending graduate school to further his training and better prepare himself to support the causes he believes need help on a larger scale.
“My advice to those considering Anthropology is to not worry about what other people’s perceptions of this discipline are and its applicability to career options/success- this discipline can prepare you for a plethora of fields/environments,” he said. “As long you have that drive and urge to contribute to making this world a better place for all, I’m certain you will feel as though you made the right choice.” To learn more about the MSU department of Anthropology visit https://anthropology.msu.edu/.
Dr. Chantal Tetreault, MSU Department of Anthropology associate professor, received a Fulbright Scholarship to research Arabic language education and policy in Paris, France, for six months.
Dr. Tetreault’s academic background is linguistic and cultural anthropology, and her research focuses on the connection between language change and cultural change. In past research, she has focused on youth in France of Algerian or North African descent.
“Some of the basic kinds of principles that I work with regarding language practices have to do with social identity, notions about belonging, social exclusion, and particularly as they relate to gender and ethnicity,” she said.
Her Fulbright Scholarship began January 1, 2022 and ran through June 2022, encompassing the ethnographic phase of her research while in Paris.
“My current project has to do with language education, particularly Arabic language education in France,” she said. “Arabic is the second most widely spoken language in France, and France itself has more immigrants of Arab descent or Arab heritage than any other European country. And yet Arabic is not taught very often in public schools.”
Dr. Tetreault remarked that a similar scenario would be if the United States didn’t teach Spanish in public schools. In France, students are more likely to encounter the opportunity to learn Arabic through post-secondary education or through community institutions. Her first interest as a linguistic anthropologist is to understand why this is the case in France. She also hopes to contribute to the understanding of the social institutions where Arabic is taught currently in France such as local associations and religious institutions. Ultimately, she hopes her work will contribute to public discourse and policy decisions around increasing availability of Arabic in French public schools.
“I think there is increasingly a desire for more clarity and openness around the need to teach more Arabic, both from the perspective that we should teach more dialectal Arabic and also more written Arabic or Modern Standard Arabic,” she said. “There’s a kind of understanding that people need to come together to work toward better policies around language education regarding Arabic in France. So from my research, I hope that there can be some potential policy outcomes that bring together teachers of multiple varieties of Arabic (Darija and Fusha) in addition to some research products such as a book.”
Dr. Tetreault’s research involves interviewing policymakers, educators, students and administrators.
“One thing that’s just been so gratifying, humbling, and wonderful is that both educators who are teaching Arabic in after-school programs in France and also university students of Arabic are very excited to be interviewed,” she said. “I’ve had wonderful experiences with people being very enthusiastic about taking time out of their schedule, to make time for an interview. And I’m thrilled that there’s a willingness, but also an enthusiasm to share stories with me about their experiences, either learning Arabic, or teaching Arabic, or wanting to learn Arabic and not being able to in some cases.”
Dr. Tetreault captured a photo of artwork by artist el Seed in Paris, France, known for his Arabic calligraphy and distinctive style which he uses “to spread messages of peace, unity and to underline the commonalities of human existence.” – https://elseed-art.com/
After she completes her interviews, Dr. Tetreault plans to publish several research articles and she hopes to write a book. Because every Fulbright Scholar needs a sponsor institution, Dr. Tetreault has been working with the Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales (INALCO) as her sponsor institution.
“It is just an incredibly wonderful place because so many different languages are being taught,” she said. “There’s a kind of richness and diversity of students from all over the world and also from all different kinds of backgrounds and heritages in France. And I’ve really connected with the faculty at INALCO who teach both kinds of Arabic: dialectal Arabic (Darija) and Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha).”
Dr. Tetreault would also like to encourage others to apply for a Fulbright Scholarship, which is available to undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, and also advanced researchers.
“It’s a wonderful way to create a situation for academic and scholarly exchange,” she said. “ I have really enjoyed an even deeper scholarly exchange than I expected.”
