Kirk French

Kirk French is an Assistant Professor (Courtesy Appointment) at Penn State University's Bellisario College of Communications, with affiliations in Media Studies and Anthropology. He holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Penn State (2009), an M.A. from the University of Cincinnati (2002), and a Bachelor's from Texas State University (1998). His work bridges archaeology, visual anthropology, and documentary filmmaking. French's research initially focused on ancient Mesoamerican water management technologies but has expanded into visual storytelling, emphasizing community-driven documentaries like Land and Water Revisited and A Century After Nanook. He leads the Community-Oriented Research in Visual Anthropology (CORVA) lab, which trains students in documentary production while addressing global environmental and cultural issues. French also teaches ANTH140: Anthropology of Alcohol, a popular course recognized by the George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching (2020).

French's academic journey includes Emmy nominations and international film festival awards for his documentaries. His work prioritizes co-production with local communities to ensure authentic representation. At Penn State, he integrates research, teaching, and public engagement, exemplified by the CORVA lab's dual focus on academic rigor and community impact. His interdisciplinary approach reflects a commitment to both scholarly innovation and societal relevance.

Key awards include the George W. Atherton Award (2020) and multiple film accolades. French's research spans environmental archaeology, Maya urbanism, and the anthropology of alcohol, with ongoing projects exploring cultural adaptation in rapidly changing environments.