Dr. Zach Winkler

I live in the Midwest U.S. and hold degrees in Psychology, Multicultural Studies, and Anthropology with a concentration in Biology, reflecting a longstanding interdisciplinary interest in human behavior, culture, and evolution. My academic and research background includes work in anatomy and evolutionary studies, particularly examining how fossils can be used to reconstruct behavior and social dynamics in primates. This research cultivated a broader interest in the biological and psychological foundations of human interaction, conflict, and group identity. My current academic focus centers on the bio-psychological contributors to conflict escalation, with particular emphasis on the development of a theoretical framework of Familiality. This framework explores how overlapping hierarchical in-groups, shaped by both evolutionary psychology and societal conditioning, influence patterns of cooperation, division, and conflict transformation. Through this work, I aim to contribute interdisciplinary approaches to the analysis and resolution of social and political conflict. In addition to my academic pursuits, I serve on the board of my local Unitarian Universalist organization, where I work in my community to advocate for equity, empowerment, and individual freedoms. My professional and civic interests remain grounded in a commitment to human dignity, critical inquiry, and constructive social engagement.