About John Hawks
John Hawks is the Chair of the Department of Anthropology and Vilas-Borghesi Distinguished Achievement Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. As a paleoanthropologist, author, and explorer, he leads global research exploring human origins and genetics, pioneering open science models that make discovery accessible to the world.
For over two decades, I have led and co-directed multidisciplinary research projects spanning ancient fossil discoveries, genomics, and digital morphology. Since 2010 I have worked with a remarkable team of scientists and explorers in South Africa to unearth and study fossil human relatives. The largest of those discoveries was the new species Homo naledi, represented by thousands of fossils from the deep Rising Star cave system. Our work continues on this and other discoveries.
In my lab at UW–Madison, my students and I combine 3D fossil visualization and whole-genome analysis to understand how ancient and modern human populations evolved. Our collaborations and field research connect us with scientists across Africa, Asia, and Europe. I love to discover new friends and collaborators in new places!
Higher education and scientific discovery are at their best when they serve the public. I am committed to using technology to open academic research to students, educators, and curious minds worldwide:
Open Resources: Building digital tools, open access publications, and open-source science initiatives to remove barriers to learning.
Global Teaching and Outreach: I have created and led online learning initiatives reaching thousands of students worldwide. Many of my initiatives have connected K-12 students and teachers with cutting-edge science to make an impact on classrooms in the U.S. and worldwide.
Public Engagement: Working with World Heritage, museums, and global institutions, I have helped connect government, communities, and stakeholders in heritage with the science of human origins.
My research has been featured in documentaries from Netflix, PBS Nova, PBS Secrets of the Dead, National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel, History Channel, Science Channel, and the BBC. I consult for many documentary productions, and if you’re looking to produce a story in the area of human origins, I would love to talk with you!
At the University of Wisconsin–Madison, I serve as Chair of Anthropology, as well as an affiliate faculty member in Biology and member of the J. F. Crow Institute for the Study of Evolution. Internationally, I serve as Visiting Professor in the Centre for the Exploration of the Deep Human Journey at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
You can get a PDF copy of my CV to see my full publication list and other professional activities.
