KENNETH PETERSEN

Dr. Kenneth Petersen is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Utah's School of Environment, Society & Sustainability since 2009. His academic journey includes a BA in Anthropology from the Unversity of Utah (1970), MA (1975) and PhD (1981) in Anthropology from Washington State University and Washington State Unverstiy. Specializing in palynology and archaeology, his research bridges climate science, environmental geoscience, and archaeology. Key areas include reconstructing Holocene climates, understanding prehistoric human-environment interactions, and applying paleoclimatic data to modern challenges like nuclear waste disposal. His work spans the American Southwest, Egypt, and the Rocky Mountains.

Research highlights include studies on the Little Ice Age, Anasazi migrations, and climate impacts on ancient maize agriculture. He has contributed to interdisciplinary projects such as the Hanford Site Protective Barrier Development Program, focusing on long-term environmental sustainability. His publications span over four decades, emphasizing paleoenvironmental reconstruction, climate change effects, and cultural adaptation strategies.

Notable contributions include climate reconstructions from pollen records in the La Plata Mountains and Dolores River region, as well as environmental assessments for low-level waste management. Petersen's work underscores the interplay between past climates, human societies, and modern environmental policy.