AIA Lecturer/Host: William Harcourt-Smith

Will Harcourt-Smith is a paleoanthropologist based at the American Museum of Natural History and the City University of New York. He was born in Great Britain and raised across Europe. Will has extensively published his research in both scientific and popular formats, from the journal Nature to Natural History Magazine. His work has been highlighted in many popular formats, including National Geographic, the New York Times, and NOVA. Will has conducted paleontological and archaeological fieldwork across Africa, Eurasia, and North America for over 20 years, including projects in South Africa, Kenya, Israel, and Sudan. His work in Tanzania includes analysis of the iconic fossils from Olduvai Gorge, and conducting fieldwork at the new human footprint site of Engare Sero, where he was part of the team that announced the footprints to the world in 2020. In Kenya, Will co-led field projects for many years on the island of Rusinga in Lake Victoria. Will regularly lectures to the public about human origins around the globe, and has helped curate numerous exhibits, including the current Hall of Human Origins at the American Museum of Natural History.