Hamilton M. Stapell, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of History
State University of New York, New Paltz
600 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, NY 12561
stapellh@newpaltz.edu
(Last updated: September 1, 2023)
Google Scholar webpage for Hamilton M. Stapell.
Education
▪ University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
Ph.D., Modern European History, December 2004
▫ Dissertation: “Madrid and the Movida: National and Regional Identity in the Center, 1979-1992.”
▫ Advisors: Drs. Pamela B. Radcliff and David R. Ringrose
▪ University of Maryland, College Park
Journalism Graduate Fellowship, 1996-1997
▪ University of Colorado, Boulder (double degree)
Bachelor of Arts in History, 1994
Bachelor of Arts in Economics, 1994
Publications
Book:
▪ Remaking Madrid: Culture, Politics, and Identity after Franco. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.
Book Chapters:
▪ "From Physical Culture to the Primal Life: Evolutionary Health Movements in Historical Context." In Evolutionary Studies: Darwin’s Roadmap to the Curriculum, edited by David Sloan Wilson, Glenn Geher, Hadassah Head, and Andrew Gallup. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019.
▪ “Bienvenido, Walt Disney?: Rethinking Americanization, Anti-Americanism, and Cultural Imperialism in Post-Franco Spain.” In North America and Spain: Transversal Perspectives, edited by Julio Cañero. New York: Escribana Books, 2017.
▪ “The Same in Name, But Different: the movida madrileña and the other ‘movidas’ of Spain.” In Back to the Future: Towards a Cultural Archive of the Movida, edited by William J. Nichols and H. Rosi Song. Lanham, Maryland: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2013.
Peer-reviewed Journal Articles:
▪ "Paleo Then and Now: A Five-Year Follow-up Survey of the Ancestral Health Community." Co-authored with: Anthony J. Basile and David B. Schwartz. Journal of Evolution and Health 5, no. 1 (2020): Article 1.
▪ “Bienvenido, Mickey Mouse!?: Hopes for a Magic Kingdom in Post-Franco Spain.” Bulletin for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies 44, no. 1 (2019): Article 8.
▪ "Status of Evolutionary Medicine within the Field of Nutrition and Dietetics: A Survey of Professionals and Students." Co-authored with: Anthony J. Basile, David B. Schwartz, and Joseph B. Rigdon. Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health 2018, no. 1 (2018) 201-210.
▪ "Beyond Cultural Imperialism: Rethinking Americanization, National Identity, and ‘Difference’ in Post-Franco Spain," Bulletin for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies 41, no.1 (2016): Article 5.
▪ "Going Mainstream or Just a Passing Fad? The Future of the Ancestral Health Movement." Journal of Evolution and Health 1, no. 1 (2016): Article 11.
▪ “Modern Cavemen? Stereotypes and Reality of the Ancestral Health Movement.” Co-authored with David B. Schwartz. Journal of Evolution and Health 1, no. 1 (2013): Article 3.
▪ “’Do You Feel More Madrileño or Español?’: Making the Case for Regionalism in the Capital, 1979-1990.” Bulletin for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies 35, no. 1 (2011): Article 1.
▪ “Walking the Walk to Teach the Talk: Implementing Ancestral Lifestyle Strategies as the Newest Tool in Evolutionary Studies.” Co-authored with: Steven Platek, Glenn Geher, Leslie Heywood, J. Ryan Porter & Tia Walters. Evolution: Education and Outreach 4, no. 1 (2011): 41-51.
▪ “Just a Teardrop in the Rain? The movida madrileña and Democratic Identity Formation in the Capital, 1979-1986.” Bulletin of Spanish Studies 86, no. 3 (2009): 345-369.
▪ “Reconsidering Spanish Nationalism, Regionalism, and the Center-Periphery Model in the Post-Francoist Period, 1975-1992.” International Journal of Iberian Studies 20, no. 3 (2007): 171-185.
Invited Articles and Book Reviews:
▪ Review of Flamenco Nation: The Construction of Spanish National Identity by Sandie Holguín. In The Journal of Modern History, 92, no. 4 (December 2020): 959-961.
▪ “The Future of the Ancestral Health Movement.” This View of Life Magazine (The Evolution Institute). April 25, 2019.
▪ Review of US-Spanish Relations after Franco: The Will of the Weak by Morten Heiberg. In European History Quarterly 48, no. 4 (2018): 747-749.
▪ Review of Madrid’s Forgotten Avant-Garde: Between Essentialism and Modernity by Silvina Schammah Gesser. In European History Quarterly 46, no. 4 (2016): 742-743.
▪ Review of Barcelona and Madrid Social Networks of the Avant-Garde by Aránzazu Ascunce Arenas. In European History Quarterly 43, no. 3 (2013): 742-473.
▪ Review of Crossing through Chueca. Lesbian Literary Culture in Queer Madrid by Jill Robbins. In Bulletin of Spanish Studies 90, no. 2 (2013): 283-284.
▪ Review of Spain since 1939 by Stanley Black. In European History Quarterly 42, no. 4 (October 2012): 680-681.
▪ "Spain's Election Is Set to Worsen the Crisis in Europe." Foreign Affairs. November 17, 2011.
▪ Review of Más es más. Sociedad y cultura en la España democrática, 1986-2008 by Jordi Gracia and Domingo Ródenas de Moya, eds. In Bulletin of Spanish Studies 88, no. 2 (2011): 305-306.
Works In Progress
▪ “Degeneration, Health, and Modernity: Evolution and the Physical Culture Movement.” Book manuscript in progress.
▪ “A Twenty-Year Review of the Paleo Diet: Pros, Cons, and Lessons Learned, 2000-2020.” Co-authored with: Anthony J. Basile, Hilary J. Bethancourt, and Adrienne Bitar. Peer-reviewed article complete and for consideration at the journal Nutrition Reviews.
▪ “Who Killed the Paleo Diet? The Rise and Fall of One of the 21st Century's Most Popular Diet Fads.” Peer-reviewed article in progress.
Awards and Fellowships
▪ SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2021
▪ Research Sabbatical (Spain), SUNY New Paltz, 2015-2016
▪ Research and Creative Projects Award (Madrid, Spain), SUNY New Paltz, Fall 2015
▪ Provost Award for Teaching Excellence, SUNY New Paltz, 2014
▪ Liberal Arts & Sciences Teacher of the Year Award, SUNY New Paltz, 2013
▪ Research and Creative Projects Award (Madrid, Spain), SUNY New Paltz, Summer 2012
▪ Research and Creative Projects Award (Madrid, Spain), SUNY New Paltz, Summer 2009
▪ Patriotic Civilian Service Award, United States Military Academy (USMA), 2008
▪ Faculty Development and Research Grant Award, Office of the Dean, USMA, 2007
▪ Departmental Writing Fellowship, Department of History, UCSD, 2003-2004
▪ Dissertation Research Fellowship (Madrid, Spain), Department of History, UCSD, 2001-2002
▪ Pre-dissertation Travel Grant (Madrid, Spain), Department of History, UCSD, Summer 2000
▪ 3-Year Graduate Fellowship, University of Florida, Gainesville, 1998-2001 [Declined]
▪ Graduate Journalism Fellowship, University of Maryland, College Park, 1996-1997
▪ Phi Beta Kappa Graduate, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1994
Teaching Experience
▪ Professor, Department of History, SUNY New Paltz, 2008-present
Undergraduate courses including:
▫ Medieval Europe (online and seated course)
▫ Modern Europe since 1500 (online and seated course)
▫ Europe since 1945
▫ Spain since 1808
▫ Americanization of Europe
▫ Intellectual History of 19th Century Europe
▫ Intellectual History of 20th Century Europe
▫ Historian's Craft
▫ Capstone Research Seminar: Madrid, Past and Present
▫ Capstone Research Seminar: Degeneration, Health, and Modernity
▫ Individual and Society (Honors Program first-year seminar)
▫ Modern Self and Society (Honors Program seminar)
▫ Evolutionary Studies Seminar
▫ Evolution and Human Health (online course)
▪ Assistant Professor, Department of History, United States Military Academy, West Point, 2006-2008
Undergraduate courses including:
▫ Western Civilization: Ancient Times to 1900
▫ Regional Studies in World History (Latin America focus)
▪ Adjunct Professor, Department of History, SUNY New Paltz, 2005-2007
Undergraduate courses including:
▫ Medieval Europe
▫ Modern Europe since 1500
▫ Americanization of Europe
▫ Spain since 1808
▫ Modern Self and Society (Honors Program seminar)
▪ Section Instructor, Revelle Humanities Writing Program, UCSD, 1998-2001, 2003
Five-quarter “Great Books” sequence including:
▫ Humanities 1: The Foundations of Western Civilization: Israel and Greece
▫ Humanities 2: Rome, Christianity, and the Middle Ages
▫ Humanities 3: Renaissance, Reformation, and Early Modern Europe
▫ Humanities 4: Enlightenment, Romanticism, and Revolution
▫ Humanities 5: Modern Culture
▪ Reader/Grader, Department of History, UCSD, 1998-2001
Undergraduate courses including:
▫ History of Imperial Spain, 1476-1808
▫ European Diplomatic History
▪ Tutor, Men’s Athletics Program, University of Texas, Austin, 1997-1998
Tutored and mentored students in European History, Spanish, and Journalism.
In the Media
▪ “Spanish Duchess of Alba Remembered As a Colorful Figure,” National Public Radio, All Things Considered, November 21, 2014.
▪ “New King Ascends Spanish Throne, with Hopes for a New Era,”
National Public Radio, All Things Considered, June 19, 2014.
▪ “Paleo Dieters Suffer as Panera Fights Protein Price Jump,” Bloomberg News, June 18, 2014.
▪ “Hablemos de Madrid,” El País (Spain), January 18, 2014.
▪ “Was 2013 Really the Year of the Paleo Diet?,” National Public Radio, Shots, December 30, 2013.
▪ “La decadencia de Madrid,” El País (Spain), October 5, 2013.
▪ “Paleo Diet Echoes Physical Culture Movement of Yesteryear,” National Public Radio, Shots, May 3, 2013.
▪ “Strapped Spanish City to Tax Church Activities,” Deutsche Welle (Germany), March 30, 2013
▪ “Spain's Prime Minister May Have Received 'Black Money' for Years,” National Public Radio, All Things Considered, February 1, 2013.
Interviews and Podcasts
”The Past, Present, and Future of the Paleo Movement: A Conversation with Hamilton Stapell,” Healthy Rebellion Radio with Robb Wolf and Nicki Violetti, August 2020.
▪ ”Episode 47: House Call,” Grounds after Rounds Podcast, January 15, 2019.
▪ "Episode 13: Modern Caveman," The Cave Gourmet Podcast with Edmund Woo, June 12, 2017.
▪ "The Past, Present, and Future of Paleo," That Paleo Show with Dr. Brett Hill (Australia), July 29, 2016.
▪ "Paleo: Past, Present, and Future," Paleo Solution Podcast with Robb Wolf, May 23, 2016.
▪ “Dr. Hamilton Stapell Interview,” Low Carb Paleo Show with Chef Alain Braux, August 15, 2014.
▪ “Is This the End of Paleo?,” Super Human Radio Show with Carl Lanore, November 4, 2013.
▪ “Interview with Dr. Hamilton Stapell,” Primal Balance Podcast with Kendall Kendrick, August 2, 2013.
▪ “The History of Physical Culture and the Future of the Paleo Movement,” Super Human Radio Show with Carl Lanore, July 1, 2013.
▪ “The Past, Present, and Future of Fitness,” The Smarter Science of Slim Podcast with Jonathon Bailor, June 6, 2013.
▪ “The Past, Present, and Future of Paleo,” Paleo Magazine Radio with Tony Federico, May 2, 2013.
Professional Development
▪ Department Chair Summer Academy, SUNY SAIL (Strategic, Academic, and Innovative Leadership) Institute, June-August 2020.
▪ Remote Teaching Institute, SUNY Center for Professional Development, June 2020.
▪ Developing a Blended Learning Course, Faculty Development Center, SUNY New Paltz, May 2020.
▪ Faculty Certification for Online Course Development, SUNY New Paltz, Spring Semester 2019.
Presentations and Talks
▪ “Setting the Stage: What Have I Gotten Myself Into?,” Department Chair Virtual Academy, SUNY SAIL (Strategic, Academic & Innovative Leadership) Institute, virtual presentation, July, 2021
▪ “Making Effective Use of Resources in Your Online/Hybrid Class Workshop,” Faculty Development Center, SUNY New Paltz, September, 2019.
▪ “Paleo Then and Now: A Five-Year Follow-up Survey of the Ancestral Health Community,” Ancestral Health Symposium (AHS19), University of California, San Diego, August, 2019.
▪ “Debating Spanish Nationalism with Dr. Michael Vargas,” SUNY New Paltz Honors Center, October, 2018.
▪ “Uses of the Past in Contemporary Spain,” Association for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies Conference, New York, NY, March, 2017.
▪ “Evolutionary Approaches to Health: Who Does It? And Why?,” Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) Seminar Speakers Series, SUNY New Paltz, March, 2017.
▪ “Evolution's Place in the Field of Nutrition and Dietetics,” poster presentation with Anthony Basile, Ancestral Health Symposium (AHS16), University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, August 2016.
▪ “Evolution and Human Health," Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) Summer Institute, SUNY New Paltz, July 2016.
▪ "Bienvenido, Walt Disney?: Rethinking Americanization, Anti-Americanism, and Cultural Imperialism in Post-Franco Spain," The Second International Congress On Historical Links between Spain and North America: Past, Present, and Future, New York, NY, May 2016.
▪ “Americanization, Spanish National Identity, and 'Difference' in the 1980s," Association for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies Conference, San Diego, CA, March, 2016.
▪ “Evolution and Human Health," Evolutionary Studies Summer Institute, SUNY New Paltz, July, 2015.
▪ “The Thayer Method,” Provost Excellence in Teaching Award Faculty Presentation, SUNY New Paltz Honors Center, April, 2015.
▪ “Paleo His and Hers: Gender Differences within the Ancestral Health Movement,” PaleoFX Conference, Austin, TX, March, 2015.
▪ “The Guide on the Side: Creating a Student-Centered Classroom,” LA&S Teacher of the Year Faculty Presentation, SUNY New Paltz Teaching and Learning Center, April, 2014.
▪ “The Battle of the Sexes: Ancestral Health Edition,” Pecha Kucha 20x20 presentation, Austin, TX, March, 2014.
▪ “The Road Ahead: Obstacles to Popularizing the Ancestral Health Movement,” PaleoFX Conference, Austin, TX, March, 2014.
▪ “Joining Forces in a Time of Scarce Resources: Building an Iberian Studies Program at a Small Public Liberal Arts College,” American Historical Association (AHA) Conference, Washington, DC, January, 2014.
▪ “The End of Paleo: The Present State and Future Direction of the Ancestral Health Movement.” Ancestral Health Symposium (AHS13), Atlanta, GA, August, 2013.
▪ “Welcome, Mickey Mouse?! Anti-Americanism, Americanization, and Bringing the Magic Kingdom to Western Europe in the 1980s,” Invited Lecture, SUNY New Paltz Honors Center, April, 2013.
▪ “Back to the Past: The Industrial Revolution, the Digital Revolution, and ‘New’ Paradigms for Living in a Rapidly Changing World,” Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) Seminar Speakers Series, SUNY New Paltz, April, 2013.
▪ “Beyond ‘Cultural Insecurity’: Rethinking Americanization, Anti-Americanism, and National Identity in Post-Franco Spain,” Association for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies Conference, Albuquerque, NM, April, 2013.
▪ “Stereotypes and Reality: Demographics, Common Practices, and Motivating Factors of the Ancestral Health Movement Today,” PaleoFX Conference, Austin, TX, March, 2013.
▪ “Identity, Politics, and Historical Memory in The Submission,” One Book / One New Paltz Academic Panel, SUNY New Paltz Honors Center, New Paltz, NY, November 2012.
▪ “Evolution and Human Health,” Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) Summit, SUNY New Paltz, October 2012.
▪ “Ancestral Health in Historical Context: From Physical Culture to the Primal Life,” Ancestral Health Symposium (AHS12), Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, August, 2012.
▪ “Darwinian Health and Wellness,” Applied Evolutionary Psychology Society (AEPS) Conference, Plymouth, NH, April, 2012.
▪ “A New Disneylandia?: Bringing the Magic Kingdom to Spain,” Association for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies Conference, Cambridge, MA, March, 2012.
▪ “Bienvenido, Mickey Mouse?: Americanism, Anti-Americanism, and National Identity after Franco,” American Historical Association (AHA) Conference, Chicago, IL, January, 2012.
▪ “9/11 and Historical Memory,” 9/11 Ten-Year Memorial Program, SUNY New Paltz Honors Center, September, 2011.
▪ “The Ancestral Classroom,” poster presentation, Ancestral Health Symposium (AHS11), UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, August 2011.
▪ “US-European Relations, 1914-1989,” Teaching America Workshop at BOCES Ulster, New Paltz, NY, March, 2011.
▪ “’Do You Feel More Madrileño or Español?’: Making the Case for Regionalism in the Capital, 1979-1990,” Association for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies Conference, Ottawa, Canada, April 2010.
▪ “Filling the Streets and Abandoning the Barricades: Reviving Democracy and the Festival in the Capital,” Society for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies Conference, Kansas City, April 2009.
▪ “The Same, but Different: the movida madrileña and the other ‘movidas’ of Spain, 1979-1992,” Society for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies Conference, Ft. Worth, TX, April 2008.
▪ “Democratic Consolidation in the Center, 1979-1986,” Faculty Development Seminar, USMA, West Point, NY, February, 2008.
▪ “Hernán Cortés and the Conquest of Mexico,” Shawangunk Correctional Facility Lecture Series, Wallkill, NY, October 2007.
▪ “Europeanization or Bust: Consolidating Democracy in Madrid, 1986-1992,” Society for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies Conference, Miami, FL, April 2007.
▪ “From a Castle to a Plaza: Revitalization of Madrid and the Formation of a New Democratic Identity,” Society for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies Conference, Lexington, KY, April 2006.
▪ “A Missing Heart and the Post-Modern Prism: Spanish Nationalism in the Post-Francoist Period,” Society for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies Conference, Charleston, SC, March 2005.
▪ “Madrid and the movida madrileña: Cultural Change as Regionalism in the Capital,” Society for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies Conference, Los Angeles, CA, April 2004.
Professional Service
▪ Department Chair, Department of History, SUNY New Paltz, May 2020-May 2023
▪ Co-Chair, Major Plan Revision Committee (MPRC) to promote diversity and inclusion across the History curriculum, SUNY New Paltz, 2020-present
▪ Member, Advisory Council for the Office of Veteran & Military Services, SUNY New Paltz, 2019-present
▪ Faculty Mentor, Office of Veteran & Military Services, SUNY New Paltz, 2019-present
▪ Executive Board Member, Ancestral Health Society, 2013-present
▪ Associate Editor, Journal of Evolution and Health, 2012-present
▪ Member, Campus-wide Honors Program Advisory Council, SUNY New Paltz, 2011-present
▪ Member, Honors Program Admissions Committee, SUNY New Paltz, 2011-present
▪ Board Member, Evolutionary Studies Program, SUNY New Paltz, 2010-present
▪ Founding Member, Campus-wide Wellness Committee, SUNY New Paltz, 2019-2021
▪ Member, Program Committee, Ancestral Health Symposium (AHS19), San Diego, CA, 2019
▪ Member, Central Committee on Salary Increase, SUNY New Paltz, 2018-2019
▪ Member, Program Committee, Ancestral Health Symposium (AHS18), Bozeman, MT, 2018
▪ Faculty Mentor, History Club, SUNY New Paltz, 2017-2020
▪ Chair, Nominations Committee, Association for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies, 2017-2018
▪ Member, Campus-wide Vice President for Student Affairs Search Committee, SUNY New Paltz, 2016-2017
▪ Member, Nominations Committee, Association for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies, 2015-2017
▪ Member, Program Committee, Ancestral Health Symposium (AHS16), Boulder, CO, 2016
▪ Member, Teaching and Learning Center Advisory Board, SUNY New Paltz, 2012-2016
▪ External Member, Faculty Search Committee, Department of Philosophy, SUNY New Paltz, 2013-2014
Evaluate and select a new Modern Continental philosopher.
▪ Member, Scholarships & Fellowships Board, SUNY New Paltz, 2011-2014
▪ Chair, Faculty Search Committee, Department of History, SUNY New Paltz, 2011-2012
Evaluate and select a new Latin American historian.
▪ Judge, Beacon Conference at SUNY Orange, June 4, 2010
Evaluate and judge History papers at a regional conference for two-year colleges.
▪ Board Member, Religious Studies Program Committee, SUNY New Paltz, 2009-2010
▪ Member, Association for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies Web Committee, 2009-2010
▪ Member, Faculty Search Committee, Department of History, SUNY New Paltz, 2009-2010
Evaluate and select a new Middle East historian.
▪ Senator, Liberal Arts & Sciences Faculty Senate, SUNY New Paltz, 2008-2010
Serve as Senator and History Department representative to the faculty senate.
▪ Member, Faculty Search Committee, Department of History, SUNY New Paltz, 2008-2009 [Suspended]
Evaluate and select a new Middle East historian.
▪ AIAD Coordinator, Department of History, USMA, 2007-2008
Write and oversee grant proposals totaling $175,000; nominate cadets (10-12 per year) for internships and directed research programs; provide oversight to ensure cadet compliance with Department of History and USMA guidelines while abroad; and perform financial accountability duties.
▪ Member, Understanding Human Behavior Goal Team Committee, Office of the Dean, USMA, 2007-2008
Assess the rationale for, and implementation of, the ‘Understanding Human BehaviorGoal’ within the USMA curriculum in preparation for the Middle States Commission accreditation (2009).
▪ Member, Faculty Development Goal Team Committee, Department of History, USMA, 2007-2008
Revise course planning and reporting procedures; investigate faculty expectations regarding development and promotion; and evaluate support and recognition of scholarly endeavor.
Languages
▪ Spanish
▪ French, reading proficiency
▪ Italian, reading proficiency
Professional Affiliations
▪ American Historical Association
▪ Ancestral Health Society
▪ Association for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies
▪ New York State Association of European Historians