Anna Cohen

Anna Cohen is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Florida State University. She specializes in anthropological archaeology, focusing on human-environmental interactions and ancient urbanism in the Americas. Her work integrates remote sensing (e.g., lidar) and ceramic analysis to study precontact societies' adaptations to political changes before European colonization. She conducts fieldwork in western Mexico, non-Maya Honduras, and the U.S. Southwest. Cohen is committed to equitable research practices, examining ethical dimensions of archaeological methodologies and data ownership, particularly in relation to descendant communities. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Washington, an M.A. from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. from McGill University.

Her research spans multiple regions, including Latin America, Europe, India, and various U.S. regions. She explores themes such as the ethics of lidar technology, the role of ceramics in understanding social complexity, and the integration of open-source data in archaeological projects. Cohen also emphasizes STEM education equity through virtual archaeology initiatives targeting Indigenous students.

Her recent articles highlight interdisciplinary approaches to urbanization, data governance in archaeological projects, and the interplay between technology and ethics in modern research practices. Cohen actively recruits students interested in social complexity, political economy, ceramic analysis, and research ethics, fostering collaborative and inclusive academic environments.