MA in Anthropology

Brian Estes, 2008

The annual Distinguished Alumni Reception recognizes the accomplishments of an exemplary alum from each of the academic programs in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Those honored are nominated by department chairs, faculty and staff, based on criteria that includes professional accomplishments, awards, philanthropy, service and contributions to the college and university community. In Fall 2017, the Department of Sociology and Anthropology honored Brian Estes.

Brian Estes received his master’s degree in anthropology from George Mason University in 2008, and has used his expertise to further a career in research. From Mason, he went to work at Westat Corporation, where he provided technical assistance and helped implement evaluations of programs sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the National Science Foundation. 

Brian is currently with Insight Policy Research, who describes him as an expert qualitative researcher with a thorough knowledge of program evaluation and research design. He has substantive experience directing projects; leading data collection efforts; and analyzing data obtained from key informant interviews, focus groups, and site visits. He has extensive experience working with a variety of groups, including health professionals, educators, state and federal grantees, low-income households, military personnel, and youth. He has provided qualitative research expertise for numerous agencies, including the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Defense, Education, Agriculture, and the National Science Foundation.

He contributes to numerous studies in the fields of education, workforce development, and food and nutrition. He serves as project director for HUD’s Performance-Based Contract Administrators Customer Service Survey and is the qualitative lead for the Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service’s SNAP Employment and Training Characteristics Study and the Evaluation of Demonstrations of National School Lunch Program/School Breakfast Program Direct Certification of Children Receiving Medicaid Benefits. He is an exceptionally versatile researcher skilled in all phases of the research process, from study design and task and project management to the writing and presentation of results.