Featured Faculty: Andreana Cunningham
Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Archaeology, African American & Black Diaspora Studies
Dr. Andree Cunningham joined Boston University in Fall 2023 as an Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Archaeology, and African American & Black Diaspora Studies. She research focuses on African diaspora, migration history, non-invasive bioarchaeology, osteology, biosocial variation, interdisciplinary archaeology, and community-based research.
We sat down with her to ask a few questions about her work and her transition to BU.
What does your typical day look like? What’s it like being an assistant professor at BU?
Since I am brand new, so far it has looked like teaching; meeting and connecting with BU students, staff, and other faculty members; and setting up my office to feel homier. Being an assistant professor is a balancing act, with many projects, committees, classes, etc. happening simultaneously. It has been a learning curve for me, but it has also been very exciting.
Are there any upcoming research projects or collaborations that you’re particularly excited about?
I have an ongoing collaborative project at one of the sites where I do research, St. Helena. There is a burial ground in St. Helena called Rupert’s Valley Burial Ground, from which the skeletal remains and artifacts of 325 “Liberated Africans” were excavated and later reburied. As part of the commemoration process, I am collaborating with St. Helenian and UK artists to create artistically and anatomically informed portraits to imagine what three of the people buried at the site may have looked like. This process is meant to be exploratory, in that we are creating several versions of each portrait to encourage reflection about the gaps in the historical record that exist for slave trade migration history.
How do you feel your research/anthropological interests have evolved throughout your education? You started off studying criminology and anthropology, how did that inspire your current work in migration history and African diaspora?
While pursuing my undergraduate degree, I was quite fickle; I started as a pre-med student, then pre-law, and then finally found and became passionate about anthropology. My early research interests in anthropology were on bioarcheological approaches to understanding the lived experiences of marginalized historic groups. This interest eventually evolved into centering African diasporic bioarchaeological contexts.
How do you see the field of anthropology evolving in the coming years? Are there any developments you’re particularly excited about or hope to see come to fruition?
I see promise in the way anthropology is starting to critically consider inclusivity in citation, mentorship, and research practices. I am also excited to be present for the formation of groups that center and support the success of underrepresented scholars. I am a member of the Black in Biological Anthropology collective and the Society for Black Archaeologists, which both offer new ways of building community and contributing to the anthropological field. And as a person who works with burial contexts, I am particularly excited to see biological anthropologists and bioarchaeologists grapple with the ethical ramifications of working with burials and the descendant communities associated with them.
Can you share any advice for students considering studying anthropology?
Seek out as many hands-on experiences as you can. The way I determined what resonated with me was by engaging in field schools (primatology, archaeology) and pursuing internships that facilitated independent projects. (For example, I learned in field schools that I loved collaborative work and the ability to work in curatorial spaces, but I didn’t love to be attacked by mosquitoes in the forest!). Pursuing that curiosity fully helps make your goals that much clearer.
On your website, you say you love to play video games, do you have any favorites? What makes a video game fun for you?
I love games that are story-driven with beautiful artwork and simple but effective gameplay. Some of my favorite games are Spiritfarer, Inside, and Eastward (and I’ve lately been fixated on Baldur’s Gate III!). I tend to gravitate toward games that aren’t high stress or combat-heavy, ones that allow you to sit back and explore the story and the rich details of the game world.
How has your transition to BU been? Do you have any favorite spots around campus? Any communities you have found particularly welcoming/interesting?
My transition to BU has been hectic but smooth. I’m lucky to have been jointly hired in Anthropology, Archaeology, and African American & Black Diaspora Studies, so I have received a triple welcome. I have already met so many people who do exciting and transformative work, and I see much potential for collaboration. Although I don’t have a favorite spot on campus yet, I enjoy taking the scenic route to my office walking along the BU Beach.