Professor Alexander Bentley, Department of Anthropology
Professor Bentley comes to UT from the University of Houston where he was a professor in the Department of Comparative Cultural Studies. He received his PhD in anthropology from the University of Wisconsin and is currently an honorary faculty member in the School of Social Science and Community Medicine at Bristol University in the United Kingdom. Bentley’s research focus is two-fold. In the laboratory, he investigates prehistoric kinship and community structure from skeletons. He also develops data-driven theoretical approaches to collective decision-making in communities and how they change over time. His latest book, The Acceleration of Cultural Change: From Ancestors to Algorithms, comes out in September with MIT Press.
Professor Ron Kalafsky, Department of Geography
Professor Kalafsky joined the faculty in the Department of Geography as assistant professor in 2006 and served as associate department head during the 2016-17 academic year. Kalafsky received his PhD in geography from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Prior to his appointment at UT, Kalafsky worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His research topics include regional economic development and the export-related strategies, performance, and challenges of manufacturers, in addition to geography education.
Professor Mike McKinney, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences
Professor McKinney began teaching at UT in 1985 as an assistant professor of geological sciences. In 1999, he became a professor of geological sciences and ecology and evolutionary biology in the College of Arts and Sciences and in 2001, he added director of the newly formed Environmental Studies program to his list of titles. McKinney received his PhD in geological sciences from Yale University. His research interests focus on urban ecology, creating sustainable cities, and biodiversity conservation.