Bio

I am a historical archaeologist and environmental anthropologist. I study the political ecology of colonial encounters, with a particular focus on the long-term ecological legacies of colonial land management. My research and teaching interests include the anthropology of climate change, agrarian studies, contemporary and industrial archaeology, GIS applications in archaeology, heritage management, and extractivism. I direct research projects in Cusco, Peru and in Ontario, Canada.

I received my PhD (2021) and MA (2013) in Anthropology at the University of Chicago. My dissertation examined socio-ecological transformations around the town of Ollantaytambo, in Peru's Cusco region, that followed the 1532 Spanish invasion of the region. Since completing my dissertation, I have held post-doctoral positions in the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society and the Program on the Global Environment at the University of Chicago. I have also been affiliated with, and taught in, the Stanford Archaeology Center.

Academic Appointments

  • Lecturer, Stanford Introductory Studies - Civic, Liberal, and Global Education

Professional Education

  • PhD, University of Chicago, Anthropology (2021)

Contact

  • Academic
    rhunter@stanford.edu
    Department: Civic, Liberal, and Global Education Position: COLLEGE Lecturer

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 3068

Links

Current Research and Scholarly Interests

I am a historical archaeologist and environmental anthropologist. I study the political ecology of colonial encounters, with a particular focus on the long-term ecological legacies of colonial land management. My research and teaching interests include the anthropology of climate change, agrarian studies, contemporary and industrial archaeology, GIS applications in archaeology, heritage management, and extractivism. I have research projects based in Cusco, Peru and in Ontario, Canada.

2025-26 Courses