Biological Anthropology in 2015: Open Access, Biocultural Interactions, and Social Change

Abstract

The year 2015 was an active research year in biological anthropology in many areas, including fossil hominins, ancient DNA, health and disease, and primate research. Particularly noteworthy this year was a sea change in paleoanthropological research when the newest fossil discovery, Homo naledi, was shared both through open-access journal articles and through 3D printable fossil casts. Despite many bright research areas, we continue to struggle with issues of sexual harassment and diversity, as do many sciences, and I discuss positive, substantive actions in these areas. With race, genetics, health, and primates in the news, public interest in biological anthropology is booming. I highlight social media that pull people into well-researched content areas and new books that reflect the breadth of the field.