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Prof Joel Irish

School of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Faculty of Science

Email: J.D.Irish@ljmu.ac.uk

Telephone: 0151 231 2387

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ORCID

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
• Bioarchaeology
• Dental anthropology
• Human skeletal biology
• Hominin origins and affinities
• Human adaptation and variation
• Human paleopathology
• Computer & statistical applications, phylogenetics
• North and sub-Saharan Africa

RESEARCH
I am a bioarchaeologist with extensive academic and applied experience in dental anthropology, human osteology, and paleopathology. I also have a strong background in prehistoric archaeology, having been involved in >35 seasons of archaeological and bioarchaeological fieldwork in the U.S., Europe, and Africa. A principal area of research involves a biocultural approach to the Upper Pleistocene through modern peopling of Africa, with a concentration on dental morphometric data to understand population origins, biological affinities, migration, and diachronic adaptation. I have assembled a large database of dental and osseous morphometric variants (313 variables in >6,000 individuals), recorded in North and sub-Saharan African samples from institutions throughout the world. Though concentrating on Upper Pleistocene through recent groups, I also apply this approach to Plio-Pleistocene hominins including, Australopithecus sediba and Homo naledi from the Rising Star Cave system in conjunction with colleagues from South Africa and the U.S. Because of this and other research I have 4 co-edited books, three co-authored books, >100 peer-reviewed articles in professional journals and edited volumes, >100 presentations at regional, national, and international meetings, and various manuscripts under review or in progress.

TEACHING
With reference to academic background, I have 25 years of full time experience in teaching and advising at the university level. I have taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses prior to joining LJMU, including: Introduction to Biological Anthropology, Human Biology, Paleoanthropology, Human Osteology, Analytical Techniques, Dental Anthropology, Human Genetics, and Proseminar in Physical Anthropology. In teaching I often incorporate a four-field approach, where appropriate, to present a more holistic picture. I am currently module leader 7104 Dental Anthropology, and teach on various other modules in our program.

Beyond teaching, I have advised hundreds of students, served on >50 graduate committees in the U.S. UK, and Europe, and at present am/was the Chair of 12 Masters and 12 Ph.D. student committees. I am currently the Subject Leader of the Anthropology and Archaeology Subject group here at LJMU, and member of the Research Centre in Evolutionary Anthropology and Palaeoecology.

Languages

French

Degrees

1993, Arizona State University, United States, PhD, Biological Anthropology
1984, Minnesota State University, Mankato, United States, MS, Anthropology (Continuing Studies Program)
1980, Minnesota State University, Mankato, United States, BS

Academic appointments

Honorary Research Fellow, The Centre for the Exploration of the Deep Human Journey, University of the Witwatersrand, 2014 - present
Professor of Bioarchaeology, Research Centre in Evolutionary Anthropology and Palaeoecology, Liverpool John Moores University, 2012 - present
Professor of Anthropology, Emeritus, Anthropology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1998 - present
Visiting Assistant Professor, Anthropology, University of New Mexico, 1995 - 1998
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Anthropology, Arizona State University, 1993 - 1995

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