معرفی
Dr. Hugh McKenzie serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology, Economics and Political Science within MacEwan University's Faculty of Arts and Science, concurrently holding the position of Associate Dean for Scholarly Outreach and Engagement. His academic focus centers on bioarchaeology and hunter-gatherer archaeology across Siberia, the Russian Far East, and Hokkaido, Japan, with significant contributions to understanding mortuary practices and skeletal adaptations among prehistoric populations.
Education:
- PhD from the University of Alberta
Dr. McKenzie's research investigates culture change processes among prehistoric hunter-gatherers through skeletal evidence, social complexity analysis, and mortuary practices. His fieldwork spans three critical regions: Lake Baikal in Siberia, Primorye coastal zone, and Hokkaido, employing multidisciplinary approaches that integrate osteology, archaeology, and genetics. He teaches foundational courses including Introduction to Anthropology, Physical Anthropology, Human Osteology, and specialized Archaeology of Death, while leading undergraduate field schools in Russia and Japan that provide hands-on excavation experience at significant archaeological sites.
Recent publications demonstrate sustained focus on Siberian bioarchaeology, with recurring themes in commingled remains analysis, dietary adaptations of foragers, artificial cranial modification, and genetic studies of ancient populations. His work consistently applies innovative methodologies to address questions of cultural evolution and mortuary behavior among Holocene hunter-gatherers.
Scientific Awards:
- MacEwan University Excellence in Information Education Award (2013)
- Major Collaborative Research Initiative Grant (MCRI) from SSHRC (2011-2018, $2.5 million as Co-Investigator)
- Honorary Research Fellow, Department of Archaeology, University of Aberdeen
Dr. McKenzie has secured substantial research funding including the $2.5 million SSHRC grant for 'Holocene Hunter-Gatherers of Northeast Asia' and actively mentors students through independent studies and international field schools. His professional service includes editorial contributions to major publications and leadership in the Baikal Archaeology Project, fostering collaborations between Canadian, Russian, and Japanese researchers. Current projects focus on integrating genomic data with osteological analysis to reconstruct population histories in Northeast Asia.
