Michael Gurven
@mgurven.bsky.social
Professor of Anthropology @ UC Santa Barbara. Aging, life history and sociality! Co-Director of Tsimane Health & Life History Project. Website: gurven.anth.ucsb.edu
Pinned
Michael Gurven
@mgurven.bsky.social
· Sep 16
Released today!
SEVEN DECADES: HOW WE EVOLVED TO LIVE LONGER
Now available at your favorite bookseller.
Leave a review on Goodreads or Amazon if you can.
Please help spread the word!
#sevendecades @princetonupress.bsky.social
SEVEN DECADES: HOW WE EVOLVED TO LIVE LONGER
Now available at your favorite bookseller.
Leave a review on Goodreads or Amazon if you can.
Please help spread the word!
#sevendecades @princetonupress.bsky.social
Looking forward to this!
Tomorrow (Nov 6) at 6:00 pm PST, join Chaucer's Books in hosting @mgurven.bsky.social, author of Seven Decades, for a talk and a signing! Come explore the unique evolutionary path that led to human longevity and challenge how we think about aging.
Learn about this in-person event: buff.ly/tKzGDn1
Learn about this in-person event: buff.ly/tKzGDn1
November 6, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Looking forward to this!
Reposted by Michael Gurven
Simplistic stories about the dangers of polygamy can be compelling & intuitive, but what is the evidence that monogamous marriage is advantageous for society?
theconversation.com/rethinking-p...
theconversation.com/rethinking-p...
Rethinking polygamy – new research upends conventional thinking about the advantages of monogamous marriage
Simplistic stories about the dangers of polygamy can be compelling and intuitive. But new research suggests some arguments about its harms don’t hold up.
theconversation.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Simplistic stories about the dangers of polygamy can be compelling & intuitive, but what is the evidence that monogamous marriage is advantageous for society?
theconversation.com/rethinking-p...
theconversation.com/rethinking-p...
Was a great conversation, thanks, Xavier!
I am happy to share the conversation I had with @mgurven.bsky.social about the evolutionary aspects of humans living seven decades. Hope everyone enjoys! @princetonupress.bsky.social convergingdialogues.substack.com/p/449-living...
#449 - Living for Seven Decades: A Dialogue with Michael Gurven
Listen now | In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Michael Gurven about humans living for seven decades.
convergingdialogues.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Was a great conversation, thanks, Xavier!
Reposted by Michael Gurven
📢 Come join us! Penn State Anthropology is hiring *two tenure-track assistant professors*, one in human reproductive ecology and one in archaeology. Here are just a few reasons why working at Penn State is awesome:
October 1, 2025 at 12:58 PM
📢 Come join us! Penn State Anthropology is hiring *two tenure-track assistant professors*, one in human reproductive ecology and one in archaeology. Here are just a few reasons why working at Penn State is awesome:
Reposted by Michael Gurven
Finally in my hands! A new book from @mgurven.bsky.social on why we age, and how we can age better, through the lens of evolutionary anthropology💙 Very excited to dive in!
October 1, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Finally in my hands! A new book from @mgurven.bsky.social on why we age, and how we can age better, through the lens of evolutionary anthropology💙 Very excited to dive in!
Thanks, Elijah!
Excited to be reading this great new book from @mgurven.bsky.social!
Already loving the first chapter — so helpful to have a book like this on the evolutionary anthropology and demography of aging as I’m writing up my dissertation
Already loving the first chapter — so helpful to have a book like this on the evolutionary anthropology and demography of aging as I’m writing up my dissertation
September 26, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Thanks, Elijah!
Reposted by Michael Gurven
We are hiring (Post number 2) - join us as a graduate research assistant to support killer whale research. Collaboration with @samellisq.bsky.social @drwhale.bsky.social Prof Dan Franks (York) start 1st Nov (or ASAP) end 31st Oct 2028. Apps close on 19th Oct.
jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
September 24, 2025 at 1:15 PM
We are hiring (Post number 2) - join us as a graduate research assistant to support killer whale research. Collaboration with @samellisq.bsky.social @drwhale.bsky.social Prof Dan Franks (York) start 1st Nov (or ASAP) end 31st Oct 2028. Apps close on 19th Oct.
jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
An amazing opportunity with great multidisciplinary colleagues in the wonderful pink city of Toulouse
It's hiring season at @iast.fr!
- 2y research postdoc contract
- Full autonomy, you are your own PI
- Awesome multidisciplinary environment
- All social and behavioral sciences welcome
- Seed funding for projects and workshops
- Gorgeous city in the south of France
www.iast.fr/research-fel...
- 2y research postdoc contract
- Full autonomy, you are your own PI
- Awesome multidisciplinary environment
- All social and behavioral sciences welcome
- Seed funding for projects and workshops
- Gorgeous city in the south of France
www.iast.fr/research-fel...
September 20, 2025 at 9:20 AM
An amazing opportunity with great multidisciplinary colleagues in the wonderful pink city of Toulouse
Released today!
SEVEN DECADES: HOW WE EVOLVED TO LIVE LONGER
Now available at your favorite bookseller.
Leave a review on Goodreads or Amazon if you can.
Please help spread the word!
#sevendecades @princetonupress.bsky.social
SEVEN DECADES: HOW WE EVOLVED TO LIVE LONGER
Now available at your favorite bookseller.
Leave a review on Goodreads or Amazon if you can.
Please help spread the word!
#sevendecades @princetonupress.bsky.social
September 16, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Released today!
SEVEN DECADES: HOW WE EVOLVED TO LIVE LONGER
Now available at your favorite bookseller.
Leave a review on Goodreads or Amazon if you can.
Please help spread the word!
#sevendecades @princetonupress.bsky.social
SEVEN DECADES: HOW WE EVOLVED TO LIVE LONGER
Now available at your favorite bookseller.
Leave a review on Goodreads or Amazon if you can.
Please help spread the word!
#sevendecades @princetonupress.bsky.social
Had a fun time talking with the Daves… thanks for having me on. check it out!
This week, @mgurven.bsky.social discusses the evolution of human longevity (and he has a new book out today)!
youtu.be/HiAI9iBHCOc?...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-jrgtk...
youtu.be/HiAI9iBHCOc?...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-jrgtk...
The Evolution of Human Longevity with Mike Gurven
YouTube video by Evolutionary Psychology (The Podcast)
youtu.be
September 16, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Had a fun time talking with the Daves… thanks for having me on. check it out!
Just one week away until SEVEN DECADES is born. Not too late to preorder (code PUP30 for discount):
tinyurl.com/efpaxtex
I hear from friends that the preorders are already arriving!
@princetonupress.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/efpaxtex
I hear from friends that the preorders are already arriving!
@princetonupress.bsky.social
September 10, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Just one week away until SEVEN DECADES is born. Not too late to preorder (code PUP30 for discount):
tinyurl.com/efpaxtex
I hear from friends that the preorders are already arriving!
@princetonupress.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/efpaxtex
I hear from friends that the preorders are already arriving!
@princetonupress.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Gurven
The book we have all been waiting for from @mgurven.bsky.social is finally here!! Read it to get a broad perspective on human evolution and aging - stay for the fun titles 😀
September 5, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The book we have all been waiting for from @mgurven.bsky.social is finally here!! Read it to get a broad perspective on human evolution and aging - stay for the fun titles 😀
Reposted by Michael Gurven
Just got this book by one of my favourite anthropologists (and people) in the mail - if it's only half as good as the gushing advanced praise, this'll be an instant classic! Also, brilliant title, immediately putting to bed the notion that long lifespan is a new thing; we've evolved to live to ~70
September 5, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Just got this book by one of my favourite anthropologists (and people) in the mail - if it's only half as good as the gushing advanced praise, this'll be an instant classic! Also, brilliant title, immediately putting to bed the notion that long lifespan is a new thing; we've evolved to live to ~70
Reposted by Michael Gurven
I’m having a great time in Bolivia with @mgurven.bsky.social, Jon Stiglitz, and Tsimane anthropologists investing the connection between different aspects of #sleep and Alzheimer’s and Dementia risk as part of my #postdoctoral research
August 16, 2025 at 9:01 PM
I’m having a great time in Bolivia with @mgurven.bsky.social, Jon Stiglitz, and Tsimane anthropologists investing the connection between different aspects of #sleep and Alzheimer’s and Dementia risk as part of my #postdoctoral research
One month before SEVEN DECADES: HOW WE EVOLVED TO LIVE LONGER is released!
A prelim copy just arrived. I’m in Bolivia but my son opened the shipment and it appears that he approves.
Preorder now (30% discount code: PUP30): press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
A prelim copy just arrived. I’m in Bolivia but my son opened the shipment and it appears that he approves.
Preorder now (30% discount code: PUP30): press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
August 16, 2025 at 1:28 AM
One month before SEVEN DECADES: HOW WE EVOLVED TO LIVE LONGER is released!
A prelim copy just arrived. I’m in Bolivia but my son opened the shipment and it appears that he approves.
Preorder now (30% discount code: PUP30): press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
A prelim copy just arrived. I’m in Bolivia but my son opened the shipment and it appears that he approves.
Preorder now (30% discount code: PUP30): press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
Reposted by Michael Gurven
I'm very excited to share the central paper from my PhD out now in Science Advances. We investigated how social effects among neighbors shape the evolution of reproductive cooperation and the pace of adaptive population growth among the Indigenous Tsimane of Bolivia.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Indirect genetic effects among neighbors promote cooperation and accelerate adaptation in a small-scale human society
Social effects on fertility promote population growth and the evolution of flexible cooperation in a small-scale human society.
www.science.org
July 30, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I'm very excited to share the central paper from my PhD out now in Science Advances. We investigated how social effects among neighbors shape the evolution of reproductive cooperation and the pace of adaptive population growth among the Indigenous Tsimane of Bolivia.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Congrats to @amy-anderson.bsky.social for leading this project from start to finish. Was fun to work at the intersection of bioarchaeology, human biology and epidemiology!
Skeletal indicators of childhood stress are associated with cellular indicators of compromised immune function in adults @mgurven.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
July 17, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Congrats to @amy-anderson.bsky.social for leading this project from start to finish. Was fun to work at the intersection of bioarchaeology, human biology and epidemiology!
Reposted by Michael Gurven
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Clinically ignored, archaeologically common. Are these holes in the head a thing of the past?
So glad to finally have this award winning research (@paleopathology.bsky.social ) out -- cribra orbitalia and its relationship to health in living Tsimane adults.
Clinically ignored, archaeologically common. Are these holes in the head a thing of the past?
So glad to finally have this award winning research (@paleopathology.bsky.social ) out -- cribra orbitalia and its relationship to health in living Tsimane adults.
Childhood skeletal lesions common in prehistory are present in living forager-farmers and predict adult markers of immune function
Skeletal indicators of childhood stress are associated with cellular indicators of compromised immune function in adults.
www.science.org
July 16, 2025 at 7:50 PM
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Clinically ignored, archaeologically common. Are these holes in the head a thing of the past?
So glad to finally have this award winning research (@paleopathology.bsky.social ) out -- cribra orbitalia and its relationship to health in living Tsimane adults.
Clinically ignored, archaeologically common. Are these holes in the head a thing of the past?
So glad to finally have this award winning research (@paleopathology.bsky.social ) out -- cribra orbitalia and its relationship to health in living Tsimane adults.
Your next Fall read, my new book: SEVEN DECADES: HOW WE EVOLVED TO LIVE LONGER
Longevity is shaped by our evolutionary past—imagine aging as opportunity rather than burden.
Out Sept 16, preorder w/ code PUP30 for 30% discount: press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
@princetonupress.bsky.social
Longevity is shaped by our evolutionary past—imagine aging as opportunity rather than burden.
Out Sept 16, preorder w/ code PUP30 for 30% discount: press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
@princetonupress.bsky.social
Seven Decades
An anthropologist uncovers new evidence for the evolutionary origins of human longevity—and explains why growing old is an opportunity, not a burden
press.princeton.edu
June 18, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Your next Fall read, my new book: SEVEN DECADES: HOW WE EVOLVED TO LIVE LONGER
Longevity is shaped by our evolutionary past—imagine aging as opportunity rather than burden.
Out Sept 16, preorder w/ code PUP30 for 30% discount: press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
@princetonupress.bsky.social
Longevity is shaped by our evolutionary past—imagine aging as opportunity rather than burden.
Out Sept 16, preorder w/ code PUP30 for 30% discount: press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
@princetonupress.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Gurven
“researchers found a 10% drop in earnings 4 years after a menopause diagnosis — due to both reduced hours & women leaving the workforce altogether. Women were also more likely to start disability benefits after a diagnoses. Notably, this impact was concentrated among women without a college degree”
Hot and Bothered at Work: The "Menopause Penalty”
New research shows an earnings dip during menopause
jenndowd.substack.com
March 31, 2025 at 9:58 PM
“researchers found a 10% drop in earnings 4 years after a menopause diagnosis — due to both reduced hours & women leaving the workforce altogether. Women were also more likely to start disability benefits after a diagnoses. Notably, this impact was concentrated among women without a college degree”
Reposted by Michael Gurven
🚨 New Paper Alert! 🚨
“You Are Married by the Woman” explores how men’s support for women’s empowerment is understood in a fast-urbanizing Tanzanian community.
If you're interested in gender, masculinity, and social change, check it out!
“You Are Married by the Woman” explores how men’s support for women’s empowerment is understood in a fast-urbanizing Tanzanian community.
If you're interested in gender, masculinity, and social change, check it out!
“You are Married by the Woman”: Divergent Understandings of Men’s Support for Women’s Empowerment in Northwestern Tanzania - Joseph A. Kilgallen, Alexander M. Ishungisa, Pius Charles, Theresia Marco C...
Engaging men in women’s empowerment is a global priority, yet there is still limited understanding of how men’s support for women’s empowerment is conceptualize...
journals.sagepub.com
March 12, 2025 at 10:40 PM
🚨 New Paper Alert! 🚨
“You Are Married by the Woman” explores how men’s support for women’s empowerment is understood in a fast-urbanizing Tanzanian community.
If you're interested in gender, masculinity, and social change, check it out!
“You Are Married by the Woman” explores how men’s support for women’s empowerment is understood in a fast-urbanizing Tanzanian community.
If you're interested in gender, masculinity, and social change, check it out!
Reposted by Michael Gurven
Job available for Full Professor Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) - Indigenous Health and Well-Being at the Faculty of Health Science, Simon Fraser University (RT 🙏🏼 please):
www.sfu.ca/vpacademic/a...
www.sfu.ca/vpacademic/a...
Canada Research Chair - Indigenous Health and Well-Being
www.sfu.ca
February 22, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Job available for Full Professor Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) - Indigenous Health and Well-Being at the Faculty of Health Science, Simon Fraser University (RT 🙏🏼 please):
www.sfu.ca/vpacademic/a...
www.sfu.ca/vpacademic/a...
Reposted by Michael Gurven
Upon learning that yesterday would be my last day as a program officer at the National Science Foundation, I shared this parting message with my colleagues. The next few months will be frenetic and stressful for them. Here are some things that you can do to help them with the mission ahead. (1)
February 19, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Upon learning that yesterday would be my last day as a program officer at the National Science Foundation, I shared this parting message with my colleagues. The next few months will be frenetic and stressful for them. Here are some things that you can do to help them with the mission ahead. (1)
Reposted by Michael Gurven
Reposted by Michael Gurven
Time for fatherhood, courtesy of James Rilling and his new book. #fatherhood #testosterone #oxytocin #dad apple.news/ALmCPtGhtTb2...
Men Are More Prepared for Fatherhood Than We Think — Scientific American
In many cultures, men are not involved with hands-on childcare. But biology tells us we are perfectly capable of doing so Biology I like to tell my undergraduates that hormones predispose organisms, i...
apple.news
February 11, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Time for fatherhood, courtesy of James Rilling and his new book. #fatherhood #testosterone #oxytocin #dad apple.news/ALmCPtGhtTb2...