The Political Potency of Human Bodies: Dr. Kate Kolpan

That Anthro Podcast

Today’s episode is with Dr. Kate Kolpan, an Assistant Professor at the University of Idaho, who specializes in Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology. Dr. Kolpan and I cover her approach to teaching and mentoring, and her favorite classes to teach, Modern War and Conflict and Health, Illness and Society. When discussing her approaches to teaching we discuss the value of anthropology as a tool for navigating and making sense of tragedies. We also discuss her fascinating PhD dissertation work entitled “Science in International Memory Politics: Isotope Analysis and Identification of the Human Remains of WWII combatants in the Balkans.” She describes how the opportunity to conduct this research came about through networking at a professional conference. She also recounts traveling to Bosnia and Germany to collect data and talks about the overall experience of working with the International Commission of Missing Persons on this project. In this research she sought to determine if through isotope analysis, the country of origin of presumed Axis powers troops could be determined so that the bodies could be returned to said country. We also discuss her forensic science academy fellowship with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), and what skills she developed from this opportunity. https://www.uidaho.edu/class/csj/people/katharine-kolpan