Team up with faculty on groundbreaking anthropological research.
The Department of Anthropology was founded in 1935 as part of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Alaska. The first undergraduate degrees in Anthropology were given in 1959, the first MA degrees in 1968 and the first PhD degrees in 1988. We are the only anthropology program in the United States that maintains a holistic approach to circumpolar studies, providing instruction and research in all aspects of anthropology.
Nov15
May 20, 2025
Two CLA grad students earn top CTL awards for research that connects Indigenous histories, Arctic governance, and global collaboration.
Film, Culture, and Curiosity: CLA on Display at AROH
May 13, 2025
Explore CLA's hands-on exhibits & powerful film screenings at the Arctic Research Open House. Stories, science & culture await!
May 06, 2025
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner spotlights UAF archaeologists uncovering the lost gold rush town of Chena and the stories its artifacts reveal.
Department of Anthropology Contact Information
Admin: Jamie Bennett (Haman)
Email: uaf-anthropology@alaska.edu
Phone: 907-474-7009
*Please Note* All UAF College of Liberal Arts (CLA) administrative assistants are
off contract through the summer and will not return until Monday, August 11th, 2025.
If you need any assistance this summer, please contact Isabel Norris in the CLA Dean's
Office by phone at (907) 474-7231 or via email at uaf-cla@alaska.edu.
Physical address:
1790 Tanana Loop
Bunnell Building, Room 405A
Fairbanks, AK 99775
Mailing address:
UAF Department of Anthropology
PO Box 757720
Fairbanks, AK 99775
Elaine Drew, PhD
Associate Professor of Anthropology
Office: Bunnell Building, Room 407
Phone: 907-474-1988
Email: emdrew@alaska.edu
Sveta Yamin-Pasternak, PhD
Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Office: Bunnell Building, Room 305B
Phone: 907-474-6188
Email: syamin@alaska.edu
Please contact Dr. Sveta Yamin-Pasternak, the UAF Anthropology Graduate Program Coordinator with all queries about our MA and PhD studies.
At times, navigating your way through college can be tricky. Throughout your academic
journey, you’ll need guidance from different advisors to stay on the path to success.
Visit our advising page to ensure you're reaching out to the right advisor at each stage of your journey.
Here is a brief outline of some of the different types of advising available to you.
UAF Academic Advising Center (First-Year Students: 0–30 credits)
Designed for first-year students, this service helps you lay a strong academic foundation,
equipping you with the resources and guidance needed to succeed in your degree program.
CLA Undergraduate Comprehensive Advising (Students with 30+ credits)
Once you’ve completed 30 credits, you’ll work with one of our CLA undergraduate advisors
for help with registration, petitions, major changes, and navigating college-related
questions.
CLA Undergraduate Department/Program Advising (Declared Majors/Minors)
In addition to your CLA undergraduate comprehensive advising, once you’ve declared
a major or minor, faculty advisors within your department supplement specialized guidance,
helping with upper-division-level course selection within the major, internships,
practicums, and capstone projects.
CLA Graduate Advising
Graduate students do not meet with CLA Undergraduate Comprehensive Advisors. Graduate
students will appoint an advisory committee. The graduate advisory committee guides
the student in developing and completing their degree program. CLA has designated
department graduate coordinators who will guide you through this process.
Non-Degree Seeking Students
Advising is also available for students who are not pursuing a degree but just want
to take a class and want help with course selection and academic planning. This happens
through UAF Admissions.
Please visit our advising page for more information and contact details.