In this episode of AnthroPuzzled, we’re joined by Andrea DiGiorgio, a lecturer in both the Writing and Anthropology departments at Princeton University, a postdoctoral researcher at Rutgers University, and a conservation marketer. Andrea brings a unique blend of academic insight and real-world advocacy to our discussion, which focuses on the ethics of wildlife imagery and the diverse roles within academia.

Andrea teaches courses that bridge writing, anthropology, sustainability, and conservation. She is passionate about educating and learning from the next generation of scholars while continuing her own research and writing. Her academic work explores the intersections of communication, ethics, and environmental responsibility.

Outside the classroom, Andrea serves as a conservation marketer and secretary for a research group under the Society for Conservation Biology. Her work focuses on how wildlife is portrayed in media — particularly the problematic trend of sharing photos taken dangerously close to animals. These images, while often well-intentioned, can encourage unsafe behavior that endangers both people and animals.

Andrea is actively involved in outreach efforts, contacting individuals and organizations to raise awareness about the risks of close wildlife encounters. Her work highlights the importance of respecting animals' space — for their safety, our own, and the health of ecosystems. She has a special focus on primates, a connection rooted in her early experiences working in zoos.

Tune in to hear how Andrea blends academic research, conservation, and media literacy to advocate for responsible wildlife representation online.