Brandon T. Ritchison

Brandon T. Ritchison is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on anthropological archaeology, examining mobility strategies, environmental interactions, and sociopolitical organization across the Southeastern United States. Active fieldwork spans four thousand years of human history in Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina.

• Ph.D., University of Georgia (2019)
• B.A., University of Kentucky (2012)

Ritchison employs multi-scalar spatial and chronological analyses of settlement, ceramic, and radiocarbon data. Current research explores institutionalized inequality development through mobility practices, property concepts, and gender dynamics. His NSF-funded work at Sapelo Island involved training over 130 students in excavation and geophysical survey techniques.

Collaborative projects include past environment reconstruction, radiocarbon sampling methods, and academic job market analysis. Key research themes intertwine climate change, resilience studies, and GIS applications in archaeology. Publications demonstrate expertise in Bayesian chronological modeling, political economy, and heritage management.

Ritchison's teaching portfolio includes courses on North American archaeology, pottery analysis, and GIS applications. He emphasizes hands-on field training and methodological innovation. Recent collaborations analyze tenure-track hiring trends and professional equity challenges in anthropology.