Jacob Freeman

Jacob Freeman is a Professor and Program Director in the Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology at Utah State University, affiliated with the School of Social Sciences. He holds a PhD in Anthropology from Arizona State University (2014) and is actively engaged in research, teaching, and graduate mentorship.

His research lies at the intersection of archaeology, human ecology, and socioecological theory, focusing on hunter-gatherer societies, population dynamics, territoriality, and the transition to agriculture. His work integrates theoretical models with large-scale empirical data, particularly radiocarbon records, to explore long-term human-environment interactions and sustainability.

The 12 peer-reviewed articles and one book chapter in his publication record, spanning from 2015 to 2024, reflect a consistent focus on socioecological modeling, cultural evolution, and archaeological methodology. His recent work in Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory and PLoS One demonstrates a strong emphasis on population expansion, intensification dynamics, and nonlinear transitions in prehistoric societies.

Jacob Freeman has mentored multiple graduate students in Sociology, Anthropology, and Environment & Society, guiding research in archaeology and socioecology. He teaches courses such as North American Archaeology, History and Theories of Anthropology, and seminars on Southwest Indian cultures. He has also taught specialized methods courses in GIS and quantitative research design.

He is part of an active interdisciplinary research network, collaborating with scholars in archaeology, ecology, and complex systems science. His lab or research group appears to focus on data-driven archaeological inquiry, particularly using radiocarbon datasets to model long-term cultural and demographic trends.