Event Date
Monique Borgerhoff Mulder
Distinguished Research Professor Emerita, UC Davis Department of Anthropology; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Monique Borgerhoff Mulder is an evolutionary anthropologist whose research explores human behavior through the lens of evolutionary biology. Her work spans topics such as wealth inequality, demographic transitions, social networks, and the conservation of biodiversity in African ecosystems. By integrating principles of evolutionary theory with empirical field studies, she has significantly contributed to understanding human social structures and resource distribution. Borgerhoff Mulder’s interdisciplinary approach informs both academic research and practical conservation efforts. In 2019, she joined the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, and in 2021 she became external faculty at the Santa Fe Institute. She was elected a Member of the National Academy of Sciences for her projects relating to life history, inequality, natural resource management and patterned cultural variation. She is a Distinguished Research Professor Emerita in the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Davis.
Polygyny: The Evolution of a Model
This presentation traces the development of a model for polygyny across several disciplines, including Behavioral Ecology, Anthropology, Economics, and International Development. It examines various lines of evidence suggesting that polygyny, as a cultural institution, is not inherently a "harmful traditional practice," as labeled by the United Nations, but rather a cultural adaptation to a variety of social and ecological contexts.
Location - Hybrid Format:
- In person: Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) Ballroom
- Virtual: Zoom information will be provided to registrants
Registration:
- This event is free to attend. Registration is required for Zoom access.
Agenda:
- 4:00pm - doors open
- 4:10pm - introductory remarks
- 4:15pm - talk begins
About the Series:
The Tracy and Ruth Storer Lectureship in the Life Sciences is the most prestigious of the endowed seminars at UC Davis. Established in 1960, the Storer Endowment makes it is possible to invite distinguished biological scientists to campus to present two lectures and meet with faculty members and graduate students in their field of interest. The series is presented by the UC Davis College of Biological Sciences.