Dr. Laura Brubaker-Wittman

Dr. Laura Brubaker-WittmanDr. Laura Brubaker-WittmanDr. Laura Brubaker-Wittman

Dr. Laura Brubaker-Wittman

Dr. Laura Brubaker-WittmanDr. Laura Brubaker-WittmanDr. Laura Brubaker-Wittman
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Teaching

I have taught, developed, and supported courses in biological anthropology, animal behavior, international affairs, and women and gender studies at the University of Colorado, Boston University, and Harvard University. My teaching emphasizes interdisciplinary thinking, experiential learning, and inclusive classroom practices. I have taught courses face-to-face, online, and in hybrid formats. I am available to teach courses in these areas and welcome opportunities to contribute to interdisciplinary programs in anthropology, biology, and environmental studies. 

Teaching Philosophy

As an educator, I view the classroom as a space not only for learning content but for cultivating curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong commitment to inquiry. Whether teaching courses on animal behavior, human evolution, or environmental anthropology, I design my classes to be experiential and hands-on. I believe that students learn best when they are actively engaged—observing, experimenting, asking questions, and reflecting on the process of discovery.


My teaching emphasizes interdisciplinary thinking and independent exploration. I create assignments that encourage students to make connections between biological and cultural perspectives, between the classroom and the field, and between academic knowledge and the world around them. Through guided projects and independent research opportunities, I support students in developing their own questions and finding creative ways to investigate them. My goal is for students to leave my courses not just with a deeper understanding of course topics, but with improved writing and analytical skills, and the confidence to ask meaningful scientific and social questions long after the semester ends.


Compassion is also central to my teaching. I recognize that students are complex individuals with responsibilities and challenges outside the classroom, and I strive to meet them where they are—with flexibility, empathy, and respect. I work to create a learning environment that is inclusive, accessible, and student-centered, where everyone feels welcome to engage, ask questions, and grow.


Ultimately, I teach because I want to inspire a sense of curiosity, care, and intellectual confidence in my students—equipping them not just to succeed in my class, but to continue learning in whatever paths they pursue.

Courses Taught

Behavioral Biology of Women
Boston University and Harvard University
Graduate Teaching Fellow and Course Instructor

  • Focused on evolutionary, biological, and sociocultural perspectives on women’s health and behavior


The Ape Within
Boston University
Graduate Teaching Fellow

  • Examined primate behavior, cognition, and evolution in relation to human behavior

 

Introduction to Biological Anthropology
Boston University
Graduate Teaching Fellow

  • Covered human evolution, primate behavior, and the biological basis of human diversity using hands-on labs and group projects


Service-Learning Course: U.S.–Central America Relations
University of Colorado Boulder
Course Co-Instructor

  • Designed and led a course including a two-week field-based experience in Nicaragua

Guest Lectures & Educational Outreach

  • Lectured on primate habituation, stress physiology, and conservation ethics for undergraduate anthropology courses
     
  • Developed and delivered outreach materials at international field sites for local and student audiences
     
  • Experienced in curriculum design and classroom-based as well as field-based instruction

All photographs © Laura Brubaker-Wittman, James Wittman, and Tim Laman. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Laura Brubaker-Wittman - All Rights Reserved.


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