On July 1st, the Faculty of Social Sciences welcomed Eric Guiry, who will join the Department of Anthropology as an assistant professor .
We caught up with Guiry to talk about his academic and professional journey, his main research interests, what excites him about this position and what he does outside of work.
Tell us about your academic and professional journey so far?
My route into anthropology has been shaped by a mix of interests in archaeology, ecology, chemistry, and biology. I trained in biology and archaeological science, with a particular focus on stable isotope analysis and zooarchaeology, and over the last decade I’ve worked in research and teaching roles in both Canada and the UK. Before joining McMaster, I held positions at the University of British Columbia, Trent University, the University of Leicester, and most recently Simon Fraser University. Across those roles, I’ve worked on projects spanning archaeological science, historical ecology, and human–animal relationships, often in collaboration with museums, environmental researchers, and community partners. At the centre of it all has been a fairly simple question: how can the archaeological record help us understand the long-term relationships between people, animals, and changing environments?
What excites you most about joining our Department of Anthropology?
What excites me most is the chance to join a department with strengths across archaeology, biological anthropology, and cultural anthropology, and to do so in an environment where interdisciplinary work is genuinely valued. McMaster feels like a place where I can build a research program that connects archaeological science, environmental history, and human–animal studies while staying closely engaged with teaching and student training. I’m especially looking forward to working with colleagues and students interested in big questions about ecology, food systems, colonialism, and the long history of human relationships with other species. More broadly, I’m excited by the collegiality of the department and by the opportunity to help build research and training capacity in archaeological science at McMaster over the coming years.
What are your main research interests?
My research sits at the intersection of archaeology, ecology, and biogeochemistry. I use biomolecular and isotopic methods to study past human–animal relationships, environmental change, and the ecological effects of colonialism and industrialization. A lot of my work focuses on animal remains from archaeological sites—fish, birds, and mammals in particular—to ask questions about diet, mobility, habitat use, food production, and changing ecosystems over time. I’m especially interested in how archaeological science can help reconstruct long-term ecological baselines in coastal and marine environments, and in how those histories can inform present-day conservation and environmental management. While much of my current work focuses on northeastern North America—including the St. Lawrence, Atlantic Canada, and the broader northeastern seaboard—my research also engages with archaeological and environmental contexts in Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia.
Outside of academia, what do you like to do?
Outside of work, a lot of life revolves around family. My partner and I have young children, so much of our free time is spent exploring parks, beaches, and playgrounds, or generally trying to keep up with them. I’ve always been happiest outdoors and near water. Earlier in life I spent a lot of time canoeing and portaging in Algonquin, and I still love exploring aquatic environments, coastlines, and the plants and animals that make those places distinctive. I also enjoy cooking and have a long-standing interest in material culture, old objects, and making things by hand. Cabinetry and woodworking are another real passion of mine, even if I don’t get nearly as much time for them as I’d like these days.
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