Kerry Thompson

Kerry Thompson is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Northern Arizona University, serving as Associate Vice Provost for Academic and Workforce Alliances. Their research focuses on interdisciplinary intersections of Indigenous fire management, climate-fire interactions, and historical ecological practices in the Southwest United States.

• Position: Associate Vice Provost
• Institution: Northern Arizona University
• Department: Anthropology

Specializing in Earth and Planetary Sciences, Thompson's work examines the relationships between Indigenous burning practices, climate patterns, and fire regimes from 1500 to 1900 CE. Their research contributes to modern wildfire mitigation strategies through historical analysis.

Their 2022 publication in Science Advances (co-authored with Roos et al.) explores cross-scale climate-fire dynamics, combining archaeological evidence with ecological modeling. This scholarship highlights the critical role of Indigenous fire management traditions in shaping fire-prone landscapes.

Thompson's affiliation with Northern Arizona University demonstrates their commitment to integrating cultural and environmental research. Their work has been cited 30 times in Scopus and has garnered attention from 23 news outlets, indicating significant impact in both academic and public spheres.