David W. Lawson

David W. Lawson is a Professor and Graduate Advisor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He directs the Applied Evolutionary Anthropology Lab, focusing on family relationships, gender dynamics, and global health with fieldwork primarily in Tanzania. Previously, he held positions at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and University College London.

His research employs mixed-methods approaches including field studies, online surveys, and demographic data analysis to address evolutionary and cultural dimensions of family life. Key themes include parental care, marriage systems, and health interventions informed by anthropological insights.

Education: PhD in Anthropology from University College London (2009). Office: HSSB 2055. Contact: 805-893-4453.