Erin Marie Williams

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Erin Marie Williams

Assistant Research Professor of Anthropology


Contact:

No on-campus office

Dr. Williams, a GW alumna, is a faculty member at Chatham University and a research associate for GW's Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology.

For Dr. Williams's complete CV, click here.


2012-2013 L’Oreal USA Fellowship for Women in Science

  • Examining the role of the upper limb during stone tool behaviors.
  • Field- and laboratory-based investigations of manual force and pressure distributions during stone tool behaviors.
  • Developing a method for quantifying the “quality” of raw materials used by early humans for stone tool production and use according to the physical costs different stone materials impose on the tool maker/user (e.g., joint reaction forces and energy demands).
  • Investigating the formation of flakes during stone tool production from a fracture mechanics standpoint.

Anth 1001: Biological Anthropology
Anth 1005: Biological Bases of Human Behavior
Anth 3708: Cultures of Africa
Anat 6210: Gross Anatomy

Selected Articles and Book Chapters

2012  Williams, E.M.S., A.D. Gordon, B.G. Richmond."Hand pressure distribution during Oldowan stone tool production," Journal of Human Evolution 62(4): 520-532 (April).

2010  Williams, E.M.S., A.D. Gordon, B.G. Richmond. "Upper limb kinematics and the role of the wrist during stone tool production," American Journal of Physical Anthropology 143: 134-145. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.21302

Ph.D. 2011, The George Washington University
M.A. 2007, The George Washington University
B.A. 2000, Grinnell College