Dr. Andrea Waters Rist

Associate Professor

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Biography

Andrea Waters-Rist is an Associate Professor in Biological Anthropology at Western University, focusing on Human Osteoarchaeology. Her research employs stable isotope and synchrotron-based trace element methods to reconstruct the diets of past populations, specifically in relation to infant feeding practices. Waters-Rist studies human skeletal and dental remains to investigate a range of activity-induced modifications and patterns of growth and development. Her current projects involve analyzing skeletal remains from various geographic and temporal contexts, including post-Medieval Dutch populations, Neolithic Siberian hunter-gatherers, and pre-Columbian agriculturalists in Nicaragua. She has published extensively in multiple high-impact journals on topics ranging from diet reconstruction to socio-cultural implications of breast-feeding and weaning practices. Additionally, she has created a MOOC focused on Osteoarchaeology, which has attracted over 17,000 users, illustrating her commitment to public education in anthropology. Waters-Rist supervises several graduate students focusing on dietary reconstruction and health indicators in historical populations, showcasing her role as a mentor and leader in her field.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

2016-01-01 — Present

Western University • London, Ontario, Canada

Teach and conduct research in Biological Anthropology.

Courses

Anthropology 1022: Introduction to Archaeology & Biological Anthropology Anthropology 2238: Reading Life and Death in the Human Body Anthropology 2242: Forensic Anthropology in Fiction Anthropology 3338: Human Skeletal Biology Anthropology 9101: Research Methods in Archaeology and Bioarcheology Anthropology 9118: Advanced Human Skeletal Biology Anthropology 4498B: Special Topics in Anthropology: Research in Paleopathology and Paleodiet

Requirements for Western University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:86
Prerequisites
Four-year degree, honours or the equivalent, in anthropology or equivalent background in social sciences.
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Two academic references
  • Sample of written work (15-20 pages)
  • Statement of academic intent
  • Transcripts
  • CV (optional)
Specialization Notes

Streams include Archaeology and Bioarchaeology, and Sociocultural Anthropology.