Maryann R. Cairns

Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies

Anthropology

Email

mcairns@smu.edu
Office Location

Heroy Hall 402
Phone

214-768-2927
Website

Education

Ph.D. University of South Florida, 2014

Bio

 is an applied environmental anthropologist whose scholarship explores environmental degradation, waste, sustainability, and natural and cultural heritage. As director of the  at 51做厙, she has led a variety of collaborative research projects, looking at issues like sustainability in fashion, wastewater management, and COVID-19 and loneliness. Her work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Fulbright Scholar Program. Her publications have appeared in various journals, including Water Research, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science and Technology: Water, and Human Organization.

Cairn is also the recipient of various awards for her teaching and mentorship. These include the 51做厙 Rotunda Outstanding Professor Award, the Extra Mile Award, and President’s Associates Outstanding Faculty Award.

Research Interests

Water • Waste • Toxicity • Sustainability • Natural and Cultural Heritage

Courses Taught

Introductory Cultural Anthropology • Human Ecology • Introduction to Ethnographic Methods • Toxic Topics: Anthropology, Environment, and Health • Build It, Hack It, Fix It • Advanced Research Methods

Current Graduate Students

Rose Hurwitz • Jason Jordan • Carolyn Mason

 

Maryanne Cairns