Human Ecology integrates themes of people, place, and power. "People" focuses attention on human development and individual relationships with others through family, institutions, and community. "Place" weaves together social processes and geographical space. "Power," defined as the capacity to shape processes and outcomes related to people and place, is an important focus for understanding contemporary issues such as health, equality, and sustainability, and how they might be addressed.

Three areas with the Department of Human Ecology include: