UH West Oʻahu student Crystal Easley, who is pursuing her Certificate in Applied Forensic Anthropology, recently received the prestigious William S. Pollitzer Student Travel Award for anthropology students. The $500 award helps students defray costs to attend the American Association of Physical Anthropologists meeting in April.
Easley, from Schuylerville, New York, was required to submit an essay (the topic changes each year) on making “a case either for or against changing the name of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists.”
Easley argued to keep the term “Physical Anthropology” instead of changing it “Biological Anthropology.” “The changing of the word won’t alter the way anthropologists conduct research or view the world,” she said. “The organization has an established name and image that is associated with positive change and holistic thinking. I attended the annual AAPA meeting when I was in community college around 2003 and I ended up getting my BA from the university there (Arizona State) because of all that I was exposed to.”
UH West Oʻahu Assistant Professor of Forensic Anthropology Jennifer Byrnes shared the opportunity with Easley. “She is great about forwarding these opportunities, whether it be field schools, jobs, awards, etc., to members of the Anthropology Club at UHWO,” Easley said. “I would have never found out about it in time without her! “
Image courtesy of UH West O‘ahu