Anna Estes

Anna Estes is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and Director of the Ecology and Anthropology in Tanzania Program at Carleton College. She also serves as an adjunct professor in Life Sciences at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in Arusha, Tanzania, and is a member of the IUCN African Elephant and Connectivity Conservation Specialist Groups. Dr. Estes earned her PhD from the University of Virginia-Main Campus, MS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and BA from Wesleyan University. With over 20 years of experience in Tanzania, she focuses on producing science to advance human-wildlife coexistence.

Education:

• University of Wisconsin-Madison, MS
• University of Virginia-Main Campus, PhD
• Wesleyan University, BA

Research Interests: Dr. Estes investigates human-wildlife interactions through changing landscapes and habitats, including land-use impacts on biodiversity, predictors of human-wildlife conflict, land-cover dynamics near protected areas, wildlife movement and connectivity, human demography, and zoonotic disease transmission. Her work bridges ecology, conservation, and anthropology to address savanna ecosystem challenges.

Teaching: She has taught experiential field-based courses at Carleton since 2019, including Field Methods in Ecology and Anthropology, Conservation of Savanna Ecosystems, Elementary Swahili, and Cultural Anthropology of East Africa. She prioritizes expanding STEM opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Professional Affiliations: Dr. Estes is affiliated with the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology as an adjunct professor and contributes to global conservation through her IUCN specialist group memberships.