Graduate student resources

Our archaeology research areas include:

• Archaeological theory
• Analytic methods
• Environmental archaeology
• Postcontact Canadian archaeology
• Zooarchaeology
• Ceramics analysis
• Settlement patterns
• Plant and animal domestication
• Hunter/fisher/gatherers
• Ethnoarchaeology
• Repatriation

Our biological anthropology research areas include:

• Bioarchaeology
• Demography and palaeodemography
• Dental anthropology
• Biocultural approaches to past health
• Life course approaches to past health
• Growth and development
• Historical epidemiology
• Infectious disease
• Palaeoproteomics
• Palaeopathology
• Skeletal biology
• 3D imaging and microscopy 
• Medical anthropology
• Colonialism and health

Our sociocultural anthropology research areas include:

• Applied and public anthropology
• Conflict
• Anti-colonialism
• Environmental anthropology and political ecology
• Food
• Fisheries, agriculture and mineral extraction
• Gender, development and wellbeing
• Global political economy
• Media
• Migration
• Race and Ethnicity
• Relatedness
• Repatriation
• Sexuality
• Social movements
• Youth culture

Past Department of Anthropology theses can be found on MSpace.

View past theses on MSpace

In honour of Dr. Emõke J.E. Szathmáry, an endowment fund has been established at UM to commemorate her tenure as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University (1996–2008).

The Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative have made a contribution to the fund. In recognition of the many contributions that Dr. Szathmáry has made to research in biological anthropology, the fund will be used to offer graduate fellowships to students in this discipline.

Deadline is annually on January 15.

Eligibility criteria

The available annual interest on the fund will be used to offer a renewable fellowship to a graduate student who:

• Is enrolled full-time in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, in the first year of a master’s or doctoral program in the Department of Anthropology;
• Has achieved a minimum degree grade point average of 3.5 (or equivalent) based on the last 60 credit hours of study;
• Is undertaking or has proposed to undertake thesis research in biological anthropology.

The Fellowship is renewable for either one or three years, for master’s and Doctoral students, respectively, provided that the recipient:

• Continues to be registered full-time in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, in a master’s or doctoral program in the Department of Anthropology;
• Has maintained a minimum degree grade point average of 3.5 (or equivalent) based on the last 60 credit hours of study;
• Is in good standing in their degree program.

Only one recipient may hold the Fellowship at any one time. Recipients may hold the Dr. Emõke J.E. Szathmáry Graduate Fellowship in Biological Anthropology concurrently with any other awards, consistent with policies in the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Candidates will be required to submit an application that will consist of:

• A complete Szathmáry Fellowship Application Form
• Two academic letters of reference from a professor from a post-secondary institution. If you are currently a graduate student one letter must be from your advisor. Ensure that your reference letters are submitted in a sealed and signed envelope from your referee.
• A curriculum vitae that includes the following information presented in this structural format:
  • Educational background
  • Relevant experience
  • Publications
  • Other professional activities
  • Volunteer and/or community service
  • Dates for all activities listed above
• A description of their proposed or ongoing research (maximum 500 words)
  • Objectives and their relationship to existing research and literature
  • Theoretical/conceptual framework guiding the research and, where applicable, the research:
    • Hypothesis to be investigated
    • Study area or group in terms of location, size, environment, etc. and a map (if appropriate)
    • Time period of interest
    • Materials or data to be studied including sample sizes
    • Method of analysis
    • Current status of the research and a timetable for its completion
    • Citations to the literature in your proposal and an attached list of references cited
    • An explanation of how the thesis will enhance understanding of biological anthropology

If you are using human subjects as part of your research, you must contact the Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects.

C. Thomas Shay received his MA and PhD from the University of Minnesota in anthropology with a minor in botany. During his graduate work he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study palynology and archaeology at the Danish National Museum. Both his later MA and PhD research combined his interest in botany with his fascination for archaeology. After two years at Colorado State University, he joined the Department of Anthropology at the University of Manitoba in 1967. Until his retirement in 1993, he taught a wide range of anthropology and archaeology courses. On the occasion of his retirement, colleagues, friends and students of Tom Shay established a scholarship in his honour, to be awarded annually to anthropology graduate students at the University of Manitoba.

Deadline is annually on May 1.

Eligibility Criteria

• Full-time graduate students in anthropology who have normally completed the majority of their course requirements, and are pursuing thesis research for their MA or PhD degrees;
• Their research is to be carried out within (or at least relevant to) the prairie and boreal forest regions of Manitoba and surrounding provinces and states. Although preference will be given to students wishing to undertake research in archaeology, the award is also open to students in physical and cultural anthropology;
• A grade point average of at least 3.0 for the last 12 credit hours completed;
• Contributor to anthropology, such as publications and volunteer work, will also be considered.

The number of awards will be determined by the selection committee. If the committee deems that no appropriate candidate has applied, it may choose not to confer the award. The award is not automatically renewable although previous award recipients are encouraged to reapply. In their reapplication, they must state how the previous award enhanced their research.

Candidates will be required to submit an application that will consist of:

• Shay application form
• Two academic letters of reference from a professor from a post-secondary institution. Ensure that your reference letters are submitted in a sealed and signed envelope from your referee.
• A curriculum vitae that includes the following information
  • Educational background
  • Relevant experience
  • Publications
  • Other professional activities
  • Community service
• Research proposal three pages maximum that includes:
  • Objectives and their relationship to existing research and literature;
  • The theoretical/conceptual framework guiding the research and, where applicable, the research hypotheses;
  • (if appropriate) study area or group in terms of location, size, environment, etc., and a map;
  • Time period of interest;
  • Materials or data to be studied including sample sizes;
  • Methods of analysis;
  • Current status of the research and a timetable for its completion;
  • Citations to the literature in your proposal and attach a list of references cited;
  • An explanation of how the thesis will enhance understanding of the cultures and/or ecological relationships of past and/or present peoples of the prairies and/or boreal forest of Manitoba and/or surrounding provinces and states.

If you are using human subjects as part of your research, you must contact the Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects.

In 2006, Mr. Anthony Arnhold (MA/80), a graduate of the Department of Anthropology at UM, established an endowment fund to support an annual fellowship.

Deadline is annually on May 1.

Eligibility Criteria

• Enrolled full-time in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, in the master’s or PhD program in the Department of Anthropology;
• International student (I.e., entering Canada on a study permit) from a country in Europe OR, is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident whose regional study focus is on Europe;
• Achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on the last 12 credit hours completed;
• Is pursuing thesis research for their degree in any subfield of anthropology.

If the selection committee determines, in any given year, that there is no appropriate candidate, the fellowship may not be awarded. The award is not automatically renewable but previous recipients may apply.

The fellowship may not be held with any other major awards offered through UM or national awards valued in excess of $6,000.

Candidates are required to submit an application consisting of:

• Anthropology Harmonized Application Form
• Two academic letters of reference from a professor from a post-secondary institution. Ensure that your reference letters are submitted in a sealed and signed envelope from your referee.
• A curriculum vitae that includes the following information
  • Educational background
  • Relevant experience
  • Publications
  • Other professional activities
  • Community service
• Research proposal (maximum 500 words) that includes:
  • Objectives and their relationship to existing research and literature;
  • The theoretical/conceptual framework guiding the research and, where applicable, the research hypotheses;
  • (if appropriate) study area or group in terms of location, size, environment, etc., and a map;
  • (If applicable) time period of interest;
  • Materials or data to be studied including sample sizes;
  • Methods of analysis;
  • Current status of the research and a timetable for its completion;
  • Citations to the literature in your proposal and attach a list of references cited;

In memory of Dianne Grant, family, friends, and the Department of Anthropology have established an endowment fund at UM. In order to remember Dianne and her dedication to the pursuit of graduate work in anthropology, especially in the areas of gender and sexuality, exploitation, homelessness, poverty, and action-oriented research.

Deadline is annually on May 1.

Eligibility Criteria

• Enrolled full-time in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, in the master’s or doctoral program delivered by the Department of Anthropology;
• Achieved a minimum degree grade point average of 3.5 based on the last 60 credit hours;
• Planning to or has carried out thesis research in one of the following broad thematic areas: gender, race, class, or sexuality; Aboriginal issues; women’s issues; gay, lesbian, queer, or transgendered persons’ issues; exploitation or discrimination; homelessness; poverty; social inequity; human rights; or action-oriented research aimed at social justice;
• Completed their research proposal or has largely completed the research or is writing their thesis.

Preference will be given to a single custodial parent.

Candidates will be required to submit an application that consisting of:

• Anthropology Harmonized Application Form
• Two academic letters of reference from a professor from a post-secondary institution. Ensure that your reference letters are submitted in a sealed and signed envelope from your referee.
• A curriculum vitae that includes the following information
  • Educational  background
  • Relevant experience
  • Publications
  • Other professional activities
  • Community service
• Research proposal (maximum 500 words) that includes:
  • Objectives and their relationship to existing research and literature;
  • The theoretical/conceptual framework guiding the research and, where applicable, the research hypotheses;
  • (if appropriate) study area or group in terms of location, size, environment, etc. and a map;
  • (If applicable) time period of interest;
  • Materials or data to be studied including sample sizes;
  • Methods of analysis;
  • Current status of the research and a timetable for its completion;
  • Citations to the literature in your proposal and attach a list of references cited;

To reward the academic achievements of graduate students pursuing field research in anthropology at UM.

Deadline is annually on May 1.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must have achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.0 based on the last 60 credit hours (or equivalent) of study, and preference will be given to students who are undertaking field research in archaeology. Their field research should be carried out within, or should be at least relevant to, the prairie or boreal forest regions of Manitoba and surrounding provinces and states. The selection committee will have the discretion to determine the number and value of awards offered each year based on the available annual income from the fund.

Candidates will be required to submit an application that will consist of:

• Anthropology Harmonized Application Form
• Two academic letters of reference from a professor from a post-secondary institution. Ensure that your reference letters are submitted in a sealed and signed envelope from your referee.
• A curriculum vitae that includes the following information
  • Educational background
  • Relevant experience
  • Publications
  • Other professional activities
  • Community service
• Research proposal (maximum 500 words) that includes:
  • Objectives and their relationship to existing research and literature;
  • The theoretical/conceptual framework guiding the research and, where applicable, the research hypotheses;
  • (if appropriate) study area or group in terms of location, size, environment, etc., and a map;
  • (If applicable) time period of interest;
  • Materials or data to be studied including sample sizes;
  • Methods of analysis;
  • Current status of the research and a timetable for its completion;
  • Citations to the literature in your proposal and attach a list of references cited;
  • An explanation of how the thesis will enhance understanding of the cultures and/or ecological relationships of past and/or present peoples of the prairies and/or boreal forest of Manitoba and/or surrounding provinces and states.

If you are using human subjects as part of your research, you must contact the Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects.

In memory of Pamela Margaret Mason, family, friends, and the Department of Anthropology have established an endowment fund at UM. In order to remember Pam and her dedication to the pursuit of graduate work in anthropology, especially in the area of gender and peace and justice.

Deadline is annually on May 1.

Eligibility Criteria

• Enrolled full-time in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, in the master’s or doctoral program delivered by the Department of Anthropology;
• Has achieved a minimum degree grade point average of 3.5 (or equivalent) based on the last 60 credit hours;
• Undertaking or has proposed to undertake thesis research in one of the following subject areas: feminism, peace and justice, or women’s issues and/or gender issues;
• Will be conducting fieldwork within one year of the application deadline or will have returned from fieldwork within six months of the application deadline.
• In any given year that, in the judgment of the selection committee, there is no qualified candidate, the scholarship will not be awarded.

Candidates will be required to submit an application consisting of:

• Anthropology Harmonized Application Form
• Two academic letters of reference from a professor from a post-secondary institution. One letter must be from your advisor. Ensure that your reference letters are submitted in a sealed and signed envelope from your referee.
• A curriculum vitae that includes the following information
  • Educational background
  • Relevant experience
  • Publications
  • Other professional activities
  • Community service
• Research proposal (maximum 500 words) that includes:
  • Objectives and their relationship to existing research and literature;
  • The theoretical/conceptual framework guiding the research and, where applicable, the research hypotheses;
  • (if appropriate) study area or group in terms of location, size, environment, etc., and a map;
  • (If applicable) time period of interest;
  • Materials or data to be studied including sample sizes;
  • Methods of analysis;
  • Current status of the research and a timetable for its completion;
  • Citations to the literature in your proposal and attach a list of references cited;

Anthropology Graduate Student Award (AGSA) is an award for new incoming students.

Eligibility Criteria for Incoming Students

• The student must be starting the first year of their MA or PhD program in anthropology.
• Preference will be given to students registered full-time in the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
• Part-time PhD and MA students are eligible for half the total amount of an award.
• Has achieved a minimum degree grade point average of 3.5 (or equivalent) based on the last 60 credit hours.
• Students must have a designated advisor or a designated advisor has been identified.
• Students who hold a single Major Award are not eligible for the AGSA. A Major Award is considered any Scholarship, Fellowship, Bursary, Stipend, or Internship from a funding source internal or external to the University of Manitoba totaling $10,000 or more per academic year.
  • Incoming students who receive a Major Award between May 1 and August 31 of any given year are not eligible for the AGSA.
  • Incoming students awarded an AGSA who receive a Major Award between September 1 and December 31 of any given year are not eligible for the full amount of the award. Students who receive a Major Award during this period must notify the Department and decline the Winter Term installment of an AGSA. The student will receive the Fall Term installment of an AGSA.

The award will be paid in two installments. The first half of the award will be paid during the Fall Term (September to December). The second half of the award will be paid during the Winter Term (January to April).

Students who apply for admission to any graduate program in the Department of Anthropology before January 15 will be automatically considered for this award as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. Applications submitted after January 15 will not be considered.

Please note: An admission application will only be considered submitted upon receipt of application payment by the University of Manitoba.

The Anthropology Graduate Research Award (AGRA) is an award to defray the direct costs of student research.

Students must submit receipts related to their thesis research activities within the preceding calendar year to claim an amount up to the maximum amount available for the award on an annual basis.

Eligibility Criteria

• MA students must have completed coursework and their thesis proposal.
• PhD students must have completed coursework, candidacy and the thesis proposal. The fund is to recover the costs of research already completed.
• All applicants must have completed the research phase of their program

Candidates will be required to submit an application that will consist of:

• A covering letter outlining the research activities and a summary of the allowable research expenses incurred during the research period.
• Allowable expenses for the direct costs of research follow The University of Manitoba and Tri-Council compliance guidelines. Allowable expenses for the ASRA include:
  • Transportation (air, rail, vehicle);
  • Accommodation;
  • Meals (actual costs and no alcohol);
  • Insurance (e.g., for travel outside Manitoba; flight cancellation)
  • Cultural offerings (e.g., tobacco);
  • Instruments related to data collection and/or analysis (e.g., minor laboratory equipment not provided by the institution; questionnaires).
  • This does not include:
    • stationary (e.g., printer paper),
    • office supplies (pens, notebooks, etc.) or;
    • equipment such as computers, tablets, cellular phones, smartphones or other electronic devices, modems, hardware, specialized software, charges for the use of the Internet or electronic devices.

All receipts related to research activities within the preceding calendar year.

If you have any questions about allowable expenses, please contact Corrine Bakun, Administrative Assistant, corrine.bakun@umanitoba.ca or the Graduate Program Chair for clarification.

Please submit complete applications by mail or in person to:

Madeleine Hoskins
Department of Anthropology
University of Manitoba
432 Fletcher Argue (4th floor)
Winnipeg MB R3T 5V5

The value of the awards is variable and depends on the funds available and the number of applicants. Should the requests for AGRAs exceed available funds, the department will determine allocation based on its estimation of merit.

With funds permitting, each year the Department of Anthropology provides funding support for writing of theses through the Anthropology Thesis Write-Up Award (ATWA).

Eligibility Criteria

Students must have satisfactorily completed the coursework, candidacy, thesis proposal and research phases of their program and have a significant portion of their thesis/dissertation written.

Candidates will be required to submit an application consisting of:

• A covering letter outlining the rationale for support through ATWA (e.g., funding period lapsed for other awards) and when the following requirements have been met:
  • coursework;
  • candidacy (if applicable);
  • thesis proposal;
  • research phase of program;
  • a brief description of work completed and to be done on writing the thesis/dissertation.
• A short letter (hardcopy or email) from the candidate's advisor supporting that a significant portion of their thesis/dissertation is written.

Please keep in mind that priority will be given to students who apply for the Anthropology Graduate Research Award (AGRA). Any remaining monies will then be distributed through the Anthropology Thesis Write-Up Award (ATWA).

Please submit complete applications by email, mail or in person to:

Madeleine Hoskins
Department of Anthropology
University of Manitoba
432 Fletcher Argue (4th floor)
Winnipeg MB R3T 5V5

Student Research Assistantships are derived from departmentally administered funds and are designed to provide graduate students with research experience and faculty with research support during any regular session of The University of Manitoba.

Deadline is annually on August 1.

Eligibility Criteria

All students in the first two (2) years of their MA program and the first three (3) years of their PhD program are eligible for SRA assignments.

Preference will be given to students who have completed the first year of their program.

MA or PhD students will be selected for assignments based upon following criteria:

• The match between student research skills and those requested in Faculty applications for assistance.
• Priority will be given to students who do not hold Major Awards.
• Priority will be given to students who have completed, or have completed the majority of, required course work.

New Applicants

Incoming graduate students will not normally be assigned as SRAs. In such cases, incoming students are not required to formally apply for an SRA appointment and will be assessed based upon their application materials, consultation with faculty, and on that year’s AGSA decisions.

Continuing Graduate Anthropology Students

MA students in year two of their program and PhD students in year two or three must submit a Student Research Assistantship Application Form (PDF) by the deadline date in order to be considered.

The value of this award depends on available funds within the Department of Anthropology.