Patrick Roberts

Patrick Roberts is a W2 research group leader and senior scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology, where he directs the Department of Coevolution of Land Use and Urbanization. He also holds an honorary professorship at the Australian National University and is a visiting professor at the University of the Philippines. Roberts leads the ERC Starting Grant project 'PANTROPOCENE', which investigates precolonial and colonial impacts on tropical forests and their effect on Earth systems.

Roberts specializes in using multidisciplinary methods to investigate historical interactions between humans and tropical forest landscapes. His research focuses on applying stable isotope analysis to study human paleoclimate, paleoenvironment, and paleomobility, with fieldwork conducted across Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. His work bridges archaeological science with contemporary environmental concerns, particularly regarding tropical forest conservation and policy.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on tropical forest archaeology, human adaptations to diverse environments, and the application of advanced biomolecular techniques. The research spans multiple continents and time periods, from Pleistocene human-environment interactions to colonial-era ecological transformations, showing consistent methodological innovation in stable isotope analysis and interdisciplinary approaches.

• Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize (2021) - Germany's highest honor for young researchers
• Thuringian Research Prize (2024)
• ERC Starting Grant for PANTROPOCENE project
• Humanitarian Award from Sri Lanka's indigenous Vedda community (2023)

Roberts is actively engaged with indigenous communities and policymakers, serving on UNESCO panels addressing natural and cultural heritage. His Stable Isotope Laboratory applies cutting-edge methods to archaeological questions while maintaining strong connections with local stakeholders in research regions. He has authored the book 'Jungle: How Tropical Forests Shaped the World and Us' and is a National Geographic Explorer.