A talented group of aspiring anthropologists recently traveled to Penn State to take part in the Department of Anthropology's annual ARISE program.
Founded in 2022, ARISE - Anthropological Research in Science Education - is a two-week summer institute designed to spur interest in integrated anthropological sciences among undergraduate students from historically underrepresented groups within the discipline.
Twenty-five students from universities throughout the country were selected from this year's pool of more than 100 applicants. All participants received full funding to attend ARISE, including travel, room and board, and laboratory and analysis costs.
Following a week of remote instruction, the students came to University Park to work with anthropology faculty and graduate students. They received hands-on training in theoretical problem-solving, data collection and analysis methods, the ethics and historical background of the field, and applications of anthropological sciences within and beyond academia.
As usual, the students proved to be a first-rate group of young scholars, said Laura Weyrich, ARISE program director and associate professor of anthropology and bioethics.
"The students are all very passionate and using their interest in anthropology in different ways while building a network of fellow scholars within the space," Weyrich said. "Whether they plan to go on to graduate school or an industry job, the program provides students with that foundation and training that will help them along their journey. And for us, ARISE is a way to change the dial for the discipline. Right now, there's a pipeline problem, and we need to find more equitable ways for the profession to promote young people from underrepresented groups."
