The Science Museum of Minnesota has named Dr. Ed Fleming as the new William D. Wells Chair of Science. In this role, Dr. Fleming will manage the Center for Research and Collections, which includes the museum’s two million-item permanent collection, the St. Croix Watershed Research Station, and its scientific endeavors across anthropology, biology, and paleontology.
Dr. Fleming has nearly 20 years of experience with the Science Museum of Minnesota, serving as curator of anthropology. He has also been a lecturer and senior research associate with the University of Minnesota’s Department of Anthropology for the past 15 years, where he leads an annual archaeological field school in the Upper Midwest.
“The Science Museum of Minnesota prioritizes top-tier education and intentional collaboration with the communities we impact,” said Alison Rempel Brown, president and CEO of the Science Museum of Minnesota. “Dr. Fleming’s storied anthropology career and dedication to community partnership make him a natural fit to lead the Center for Research and Collections as the new William D. Wells Chair of Science. I’m grateful to Dr. Fleming for stepping into this role and look forward to the continued excellence ahead.”
“I have dedicated my career to researching the very ways in which humankind has lived here in the Upper Midwest,” said Dr. Fleming. “To now use my experience to benefit and further the local, national and international footprint of the Center for Research and Collections is an honor and privilege. I am excited to support the incredible scientists and staff across the museum in their groundbreaking work and continue fostering meaningful connections and partnerships with community members.”
As a recognized expert in the archaeology of North America, with a specific focus on the Upper Midwest, Dr. Fleming’s research examines crucial patterns of mobility, social interaction and environmental shifts spanning from the end of the last ice age through European colonization.
Dr. Fleming’s philosophy includes a strong commitment to community-focused access. He has prioritized building partnerships to ensure collections are made as accessible as possible to the Indigenous communities from which they originated. In this capacity, he has directed departmental efforts in provenance research, consultation and repatriation. He is also leading efforts to document and digitize the Science Museum of Minnesota’s extensive collection of Maya textiles and other material culture from Chiapas, Mexico.
Fostering a bridge between his work and the community, Dr. Fleming is an active volunteer within community organizations and nonprofits. He was the president of the Maya Society of Minnesota between 2015-2019.
Dr. Fleming has a doctorate in anthropology and archeology, a master’s degree in archeology and paleoecology, and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and art history from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Fleming started in this new capacity on Feb. 2 and replaces Dr. Laurie Fink, who served in the role for 15 years.
