Nicole Boivin

Honorary Professor Nicole Boivin is affiliated with the School of Social Science at the University of Queensland. Her research focuses on archaeology, human evolution, and biomolecular analysis, with emphasis on ancient agriculture and environmental interactions. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, exploring topics such as domestication, climate change impacts, and cultural transitions. Her work integrates interdisciplinary methods like paleogenomics, isotopic analysis, and archaeobotany.

Key research interests include the origins of plant and animal domestication, human migration routes, and the role of technology in prehistoric societies. Collaborations span institutions globally, addressing questions of human-environment dynamics and long-term cultural evolution. Notable projects include studies of ancient diets in East Africa and the spread of agricultural practices in Central Asia.

Boivin’s publications highlight her contributions to understanding prehistoric economies, such as dairying practices among early pastoralists and the ecological adaptations of ancient populations. Her work on cave sites in Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka has advanced knowledge of human settlement in challenging environments.