Today we lost one of the greatest minds in the history of science, Dr. Jane Goodall.
The study of anthropology would not be where it is today without Goodall’s work in shifting our understanding of, and relationship to, our closest remaining primate relatives. Her work also paved the way for others to shift our anthropological understanding of our relationship to other members of the Animal Kingdom we share the Earth with.
When I was in college at the University of Tennessee, we learned quite a bit about Goodall in a primatology course I took with Dr. Joanne Devlin. For my final project in that class, I had the opportunity to study and record ethograms of a chimpanzee family at the Knoxville Zoo. It was truly one of the highlights of my college experience.
One of my favorite memories from that project was when I was collecting data on the behavior of a baby chimpanzee, who was using a blanket to move a ball around in the corner of the enclosure. A woman there with her children noticed I was taking notes and asked me why he was doing that.
My response was, “Nothing really—he’s just a baby playing with his toys, just like a human one.” After I said that, I remember her eyes lighting up with an “aha” expression. She was probably already thinking the same thing but just wanted confirmation. I file that under one of my favorite public education moments. Because 1) it was really cool to be studying chimps, and 2) it was so interesting to watch him play, and I got to share that moment with a total stranger.
Not the most eventful story to share, but it’s a story that wouldn’t have happened without Goodall’s work. And by extension, I should also thank her for paving the way for researchers like me to have the opportunities we do today—to share information about our relationship to other animals, and how those relationships can be deeply anthropological.
Dr. Goodall passed in California on her current speaking tour. Teaching science and compassion for animals until her final day.
David Ian Howe
Today we lost one of the greatest minds in the history of science, Dr. Jane Goodall.
The study of anthropology would not be where it is today without Goodall’s work in shifting our understanding of, and relationship to, our closest remaining primate relatives. Her work also paved the way for others to shift our anthropological understanding of our relationship to other members of the Animal Kingdom we share the Earth with.
When I was in college at the University of Tennessee, we learned quite a bit about Goodall in a primatology course I took with Dr. Joanne Devlin. For my final project in that class, I had the opportunity to study and record ethograms of a chimpanzee family at the Knoxville Zoo. It was truly one of the highlights of my college experience.
One of my favorite memories from that project was when I was collecting data on the behavior of a baby chimpanzee, who was using a blanket to move a ball around in the corner of the enclosure. A woman there with her children noticed I was taking notes and asked me why he was doing that.
My response was, “Nothing really—he’s just a baby playing with his toys, just like a human one.” After I said that, I remember her eyes lighting up with an “aha” expression. She was probably already thinking the same thing but just wanted confirmation. I file that under one of my favorite public education moments. Because 1) it was really cool to be studying chimps, and 2) it was so interesting to watch him play, and I got to share that moment with a total stranger.
Not the most eventful story to share, but it’s a story that wouldn’t have happened without Goodall’s work. And by extension, I should also thank her for paving the way for researchers like me to have the opportunities we do today—to share information about our relationship to other animals, and how those relationships can be deeply anthropological.
Dr. Goodall passed in California on her current speaking tour. Teaching science and compassion for animals until her final day.
Rest in peace, Dr. Goodall.
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