Professor Terry Hunt focuses on human and environmental histories of the Pacific Islands, where he has conducted field research throughout the region for more than four decades. Over the past two decades, he has done extensive research on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), where he has engaged many students in this work. His current field research collaboration continues on Rapa Nui, and he works closely with the Native Rapanui community (Ma\`u Henua).
Dr. Hunt is the co-author of The Statues That Walked: Unraveling the Mystery of Easter Island, with Carl Lipo, which details Rapa Nui’s archaeological history. The book won the Society for American Archaeology’s Book of the Year Award in the public audience category in 2011. Dr. Hunt’s research was the focus of a National Geographic magazine cover story in July 2012 and a Nova-National Geographic TV documentary that first aired on PBS in November 2012. A second Nova documentary—Origins of Easter Island—featuring Dr. Hunt’s research premiered this February.
Dr. Hunt previously served as the W.A. Franke Dean, University of Arizona. He previously served as Dean of the Clark Honors College, University of Oregon, and taught at University of Hawai\`i-Manoa for 25 years. He is currently Professor in the School of Anthropology at the University of Arizona. Dr. Hunt received his B.A. at University of Hawai\`i-Hilo, M.A.(Hons) at University of Auckland, and Ph.D. at University of Washington.