Election Results 2021
SHA and ACUA 2021 Election Results
Richard Veit
Present Position: Professor of Anthropology and Interim Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Monmouth University
Education: Ph.D., Anthropology with a specialization in historical archaeology, University of Pennsylvania, 1997; M.A., Anthropology with a specialization in historical archaeology, The College of William and Mary, 1991; B.A. Summa Cum Laude, Anthropology, Minor in History, Drew University 1990
Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies: Society for Historical Archaeology: Conference Co-Chair, 2022; Board of Directors 2011–2014, Archives and History Committee 1999–present; Chair, Archives and History Committee 2006–2012; Elections and Nominations Committee 2002; Editorial Advisory Board: Memorials Editor 2008–2012, Book Reviews Editor 2012–2015
Council for Northeast Historical Archaeology: Chair 2019–2020; Executive Board 2002–2015 and 2019–Present; Elections Committee 2003, 2008, 2009; Trenton Conference Co-Organizer with Richard Hunter, 2005; and Long Branch Conference Co-Organizer with Ed Morin, 2014; Virtual Conference Co-Organizer with Meagan Ratini and Meta Janowitz, 2021
Middle Atlantic Archaeological Conference: President 2014–2016
New Jersey Historical Commission (Gubernatorial Appointment) 2012–Present: Chair Programs and Publications Committee
Archaeological Society of New Jersey: Bulletin Editor 2017–2019, President, 2007–2011, 1st Vice President-Education, 2004–2006, Recording Secretary 2012–Present, Treasurer 1998–2003, Executive Board Member 1994–1997
Association for Gravestone Studies: Editorial Board 2009–Present, Conference Co-Chair with Mark Nonestied 1998 and 2012
Research Interests: historical archaeology, monuments and commemoration, military sites archaeology, historic artifact analysis, vernacular architecture
Biographical Statement: I am an anthropological archaeologist with a focus on North American historical archaeology. My work as a historical archaeologist strives to give voice to individuals who have been silenced by history: minorities, women, industrial workers, soldiers, and other everyday people. Currently, I serve as Professor of Anthropology and Interim Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Monmouth University. I teach undergraduate and graduate courses on historical archaeology, mentor students, and co-direct an annual field school. My students and I have investigated a variety of sites including Edison’s Menlo Park Laboratory, Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Joseph Bonaparte’s Point Breeze Estate, and Morristown National Historical Park. I have also led fieldwork projects in Jamaica, Puerto Rico and India.
Before coming to Monmouth, I spent a decade working for cultural resource management firms. I have experienced many different aspects of the archaeological profession, working at a variety of levels from field technician to project manager. I continue to consult as a historical archaeologist, with a focus on cemetery preservation projects.
My interests are eclectic, and my publications reflect that eclecticism. I have written several scholarly books. They include Digging New Jersey’s Past (Rutgers 2002), New Jersey Cemeteries and Tombstones (w. Mark Nonestied, Rutgers 2008), The Historical Archaeology of the Delaware Valley (w. David Orr, Tennessee, 2014), The Archaeology of American Cemeteries and Gravemarkers (w. Sherene Baugher Florida, 2014), and Archaeologies of African-American Life in the Upper Mid-Atlantic (w. Michael Gall, Alabama 2017). I find historical archaeology to be a compelling way to learn about the past and a source of inspiration for a better future.
My current projects include a book about the archaeology of American religion with Sherene Baugher, and ongoing archaeological investigations of Revolutionary war camps at Morristown National Historical Park. I also have a research project at Orange Valley Estate in Jamaica, examining health and medical practices among enslaved people.
Given the qualifications and experience outlined in your biographical statement, what do you believe you can contribute to SHA if elected?
I believe that my hybrid academic-cultural resource management background makes me a strong candidate for this position. Currently, my primary employment is as a university faculty member. However, I have also had the opportunity to work at many different levels in cultural resource management from field technician to project manager. As a faculty member, I have successfully built undergraduate programs, and founded a successful M.A. program in Anthropology. I have been extensively involved in faculty governance and enjoy working with colleagues to build programs and organizations.
While I was a student, my mentors encouraged me to join archaeological organizations. This was sound advice as it helped me learn the craft of historical archaeology and helped me build a network of colleagues whose advice has helped me build a successful career. I have been an active participant in a variety of archaeological organizations, including the Council for Northeast Historical Archaeology, and the Society for Historical Archaeology. In 1991 I attended my first SHA conference in Kingston Jamaica. The experience was powerful, and I felt that I had found a community that I wanted to be part of. Subsequently, I had the opportunity to serve on several SHA committees, including the Society’s Board, Editorial Board, and History Committee. I saw how a dedicated cadre of volunteers working with a gifted professional executive director, can run a top-tier organization.
I have organized major regional conferences and am a conference co-chair for the 2022 Philadelphia SHA conference. As a Department Chair and a Dean, I have developed strong leadership skills and a clear vision, while also being flexible and responsive.
As President of the SHA, I would focus on growing the society, while maintaining its fiscal health and its intellectual breadth, and provide organized, informed, and level-headed leadership. I have seen what makes organizations function well and at the same time, I understand the challenges our professional societies face. I would be a tenacious advocate for the value of historical archaeology in these trying and unsettled times.
If elected to serve SHA, what priorities would you emphasize?
The Society for Historical Archaeology is at a crossroads. It has tremendous strengths: a high-quality peer-reviewed journal that remains readable and engaging, a copiously illustrated full-color newsletter, an outstanding annual conference that draws large numbers of attendees—despite the vicissitudes of January weather. On one level, all is well. However, we also face significant challenges, and I am energized about the possibility of addressing those challenges. First and foremost, we need to reverse the slow decline in our membership. We can do this by reducing costs where possible and developing additional revenue streams so that students and young professionals can afford to participate in the SHA. We should also look for ways to add value to membership through workshops and online resources. It is also important that we envision historical archaeology as a big tent, capable of holding many different perspectives and research interests. At the same time, we need to make sure that the Society for Historical Archaeology is a welcoming and safe space for all archaeologists.
Furthermore, we must be vigilant defenders of the legislation that supports so much archaeological research. We also need to spread the good news of historical archaeology. The archaeology that we do is the archaeology of us. It is the archaeology of the modern world; the world we live in. The work we do is directly relevant to the issues that shape our society: immigration, consumerism, capitalism, and social justice. Historical archaeology could not be more relevant. We need to do a better job of sharing the results of the work we do, not just with our colleagues and peers, but with the general public. We need to build an organization that reflects the diversity of modern America and welcomes diverse perspectives. Finally, we should go beyond studying the past to advocate for better, more inclusive future.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Alexandra Jones, Ph.D., RPA
Present Position: Executive Direction of Archaeology in the Community, History and Archaeology; Assistant Professor at Goucher College
Education: Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley; M.A., University of California, Berkeley; M.A., Howard University; Dual B.A., Howard University
Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies: SHA: Served on Nomination Committee and a current member of the Gender and Minority Committee, Member of International Network For Contemporary Archaeology in Scotland, Serves on District of Columbia’s Historic Preservation Review Board, Member of the Board of Directors for the Society of Black Archaeologists, Member of the Board of Directors of the St. Croix Archaeological Society, Academic Trustee for the Archaeological Institute of America, RPA: Member in good standing
Research Interests: community archaeology, education, African Diaspora archaeology
Biographical Statement: I have been an active member of SHA since 2006, and have served on the Nomination Committee and Gender and Minority Committee. I founded Archaeology in the Community in 2009, an archaeology education non-profit which provides accessible archaeology education to people of all ages. As the Executive Director, I have worked in St. Croix, USVI, Haiti, Belize and the continental United States teaching archaeology. I have been a professor and informal educator for over 19 years, during which I worked tirelessly to educate people nationally and internationally on the importance and power of archaeology. I was a Laboratory Manager for the Veterans Curation Project in Washington, DC where I trained and supervised veterans on the process of rehabilitating and curating federal archaeological and archival collections. I worked for PBS’s television show Time Team America as the Archaeology Field School Director, where I directed field schools for junior high and high school students at each of the sites for the 2013 season. Currently I am an Assistant Professor of History and Archaeology at Goucher College in Towson, Maryland.
As a researcher, I started in the field working with the historic Gibson Grove community, an African American community located in Cabin John, Maryland; 13 years later I am still working with that community in an activist role. I am a Co-PI for the Estate Little Princess Project in St. Croix, USVI where my research focus is on building capacity through youth education.
I serve on the District of Columbia’s Historic Preservation Review Board, Board of Directors for the Society of Black Archaeologists, the Board of Directors of the St. Croix Archaeological Society and am an Academic Trustee for the Archaeological Institute of America in an effort to make a meaningful contribution to the field of archaeology.
Beyond my research and role as an educator and activist, I devote a great deal of time to trying to create a discipline in which I can be proud to leave for my students to continue on after me.
Given the qualifications and experience outlined in your biographical statement, what do you believe you can con-tribute to SHA if elected?
In my personal and professional life, I have strived to create spaces where marginalized communities can be heard, felt supported, welcomed, and above all seen. As the Society for Historical Archaeology continues to work towards inclusion and equity, my experience will be an asset. I have a demonstrated track record of working with and helping people understand the importance of archaeology and its role in our past, present, and future. I recognize the strengths and opportunities that our discipline and professional organization has moving forward. I have and remain committed to championing inclusion, equity, and anti-racism. I believe that through embracing the talents and skills of others, the profession and the society will be better suited to support the archaeology of the next generation. This includes ensuring that archaeology is more accessible to everyone, especially people with disabilities. Through my current roles on several archaeology boards and working groups, I could serve as a liaison between the organization to keep SHA at the forefront of these conversations. It is important that SHA take a stand and serve as a leader on topics that threaten the future of the discipline.
If elected to serve SHA, what priorities would you emphasize?
To demonstrate the importance of archaeology and the stories we tell, I would, first, prioritize improving our ability to communicate with people outside the discipline, specifically the public, elected officials and the media. By galvanizing these three groups, we have a greater chance to highlight the threats to the discipline and our sites and to meet our responsibilities as stewards of the past. Outreach to broad public audiences, local and descendant communities, and elected and regulatory officials will help ensure our nation’s commitment to understanding our past, improving our future, and protecting the resources and records of archaeological and historical knowledge.
Secondly, as someone with an extensive background in teaching and working with the youth, I would encourage outreach to primary, secondary, and undergraduate students in marginalized communities. This will help the field and the professional society diversify its membership and work towards inclusion and equity in the field, in the canon, and in the profession as a whole. In order to have an impactful organization we need the voices and talents of all.
Third, I would aid in strengthening our relationships with partner organizations and increase outreach to the global historical archaeology community. These relationships can bolster conversations about what community archaeology is and can look like in the future. It is through these dialogues that we as a disciple build a stronger bond with those who vote on federal budgets, historic preservation registration and other legislation that directly affects our discipline.
Finally, I would like to see more effort devoted to providing the best resources and professional training to the upcoming generation of historical archaeologists. This includes ensuring that systemic barriers, such as the prohibitive costs of memberships and conferences, are addressed.
Dr. Alicia Odewale
Present Position: Assistant Professor of Anthropology, University of Tulsa
Education: Doctor of Philosophy from University of Tulsa, Masters in Anthropology from University of Tulsa
Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies: I have served as session chair, discussant, panelist, and as student volunteer for SHAs in the past but have not had the opportunity to serve in other areas of the organization. I also continue to serve within the Society of Black Archaeologists as a co-director of the Estate Little Princess Archaeological Field School and as membership coordinator, which used to be under the umbrella of SHA but is now grown to be its own non-profit entity.
Research Interests: African Diaspora archaeology, Danish West Indies/Virgin Islands archaeology and history, Caribbean archaeology, urban enslavement and freedom, community-based collaborative research, comparative/collections-based research, DAACS, archaeology of the Tulsa Race Massacre/Greenwood District, ceramic analysis, transferware studies, resistance, heritage preservation, reconciliation and restorative justice archaeology, antiracist/decolonized archaeology
Biographical Statement: Dr. Alicia Odewale is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at The University of Tulsa. She specializes in African Diaspora archaeology in the Caribbean and Southeastern United States. Since 2014 she has been researching archaeological sites related to Afro-Caribbean heritage in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands but has recently started researching and teaching about sites of Black heritage in her home state of Oklahoma. While she continues to research both urban and rural sites of enslavement in St. Croix, her latest research project based in Tulsa, OK examines the lingering impact and historical trauma stemming from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on the Greenwood community, using restorative justice archaeology and radical mapping techniques. Her research interests include the archaeology of enslavement and freedom in urban contexts, Caribbean archaeology, rural and urban comparative analyses, community-based archaeology, ceramic analysis, transferware studies, mapping historical trauma from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, and investigations into different forms of cultural resistance. She is the co-creator of the #TulsaSyllabus, an online resource guide that dives into the history and archaeology of Black enslavement, landownership, anti-black violence, and the rise of prosperous Black communities in Oklahoma. Her research has received awards and support from the American Anthropological Association, the National Science Foundation, the Society of Historical Archaeology, the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, Tulsa Community Foundation, SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program, and the Digital Archaeological Archive of Comparative Slavery (DAACS). In addition to her role as faculty at The University of Tulsa, she also serves as the director of the Historical Archaeology and Heritage Studies Laboratory at TU and serves as the co-creator of the Estate Little Princess Archaeological Field School in St. Croix and the Mapping Historical Trauma in Tulsa from 1921-2021 project.
Given the qualifications and experience outlined in your biographical statement, what do you believe you can contribute to SHA if elected?
If elected to serve SHA, I believe my presence on the board would add a much needed perspective that will only enhance the work the board has begun in recent years. My unique perspective as an educator committed to the development of antiracist pedagogy, an African Diaspora archaeologist, a Black woman, a community-centered Black feminist researcher, a native Tulsan, and a mom—has led me to realize just how challenging it can be to try to navigate the world of academia and archaeology, when it has and continues to exclude people of all different social identities from entering the field. Navigating my different identities alongside my colleagues who are all fighting to decolonize the field has given me a deeper understanding of the systemic problems in our discipline but also how much work would be needed across the board to see meaningful change. If elected, I am committed to moving the needle toward action so that the next generation of SHA student and professional members truly feel welcome and a sense of belonging within this community of scholars.
If elected to serve SHA, what priorities would you emphasize?
If elected to serve SHA, I would focus on increasing student engagement in the organization beyond student volunteer and internship opportunities, but actively learning from our youngest members and those who have opted out of the organization all together, what past and present problems they see with the SHA and invite them into the process of helping to solve those problems. Tackling big issues like the toxic social climates that many graduate and undergraduate archaeology students experience in field schools and throughout their college years may not be feasible to solve during my short term, but my goal would be to at least make these and many other issues known at all levels so that we can begin to formulate both short and long term actionable steps for the organization to move forward. I am also interested in doing a deeper dive to capture more statistical data about the population of archaeologists that make up SHA’s membership. Looking into how many different social identities are part of this current body of scholars, who are the folks that are still not being adequately represented, and what sites, groups, and areas of research are still being neglected. The goal for me would be to begin to breakdown those gatekeeping practices that have been in place for far too long and work to see that the population of historical archaeologists in the US is reflective of the demographics of the US in general and intentionally representative of various communities of color.
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
Ayana Omilade Flewellen
Present Position: President-Elect of Society of Black Archaeologists
Education: Ph.D., Anthropology, University of Texas at Austin; M.A., African and African Diaspora Studies; University of Texas at Austin
Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies: Gender and Minority Affairs Committee since 2010
Research Interests: Black Feminist Theory, historical archaeology, maritime heritage conservation, public and community-engaged archaeology, processes of identity formations, representations of slavery
Biographical Statement: Ayana Omilade Flewellen (she/her) is a Black Feminist, an archaeologist, a storyteller, and an artist. As a scholar of anthropology and African and African Diaspora Studies, Flewellen’s intellectual genealogy is shaped by critical theory rooted in Black feminist epistemology and pedagogy. This epistemological backdrop not only constructs the way she designs, conducts and produces her scholarship but acts as foundational to how she advocates for greater diversity within the field of archaeology and within the broader scope of academia. Flewellen is the cofounder and current president-elect of the Society of Black Archaeologists and sits on the Board of Diving With A Purpose. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Riverside. Her research and teaching interests address Black Feminist Theory, historical archaeology, maritime heritage conservation, public and community-engaged archaeology, processes of identity formations, and representations of slavery. Flewellen has been featured in National Geographic, Science Magazine and PBS; and regularly presents her work at institutions including The National Museum for Women in the Arts.
Given the qualifications and experience outlined in your biographical statement, what do you believe you can contribute to SHA if elected?
I’ve made it my mission to foster the future of an antiracist discipline now. My work as the co-founder of SBA along with the years of labor I’ve contributed to the SHA’s Gender and Minority Affairs Committee, is a demonstration of my commitment to this vision.
If elected to serve SHA, what priorities would you emphasize?
If elected to serve the SHA I will prioritize efforts of diversity, equity, and inclusion of historically excluded and underrepresented groups.
Lindsay M. Montgomery
Present Position: SHA member
Education: Ph.D., Anthropology, Stanford University; BA, Anthropology & Human Rights, Barnard College (Columbia University)
Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies: To date I have not served on any standing committees for the SHA. I have served as the student member at large for the Archaeology Division of the American Anthropological Society from 2014–2016 and am currently a member of the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) Task Force on Decolonization as well as a member of the SAA Social Justice Task Force.
Research Interests: Native North America, Indigenous archaeology, interethnic interaction, settler colonialism, ethnohistory, oral history
Biographical Statement: Lindsay M. Montgomery received her Ph.D. in anthropology from Stanford University in 2015 and is currently an assistant professor in the School of Anthropology at the University of Arizona. Her research focuses on the material culture and history of Indigenous peoples in the North American West and draws on a broad range of methods including, non-collection based archaeological survey, geospatial analysis, geo-chemical sourcing, archival research, object studies in museum collections, and oral traditions. To date, her work has largely taken two forms: investigations of the material practices of mobile Indigenous groups in the North American Southwest and studies of Indigenous responses to and experiences of settler colonialism from the 19th to the 21st centuries. In both lines of research, she works to center the priorities of Native peoples while drawing on Indigenous ontologies and epistemologies to document persistence, resistance, and culturally grounded adaptation.
Her current research revolves around a multi-institutional collaborative project with Picuris Pueblo in New Mexico. Drawing on methods in Indigenous archaeology and collaborative community-based research, the project seeks to understand the nature and extent of Picuris’ role within the evolving inter-ethnic economic networks of the northern Rio Grande between 1400-1750 CE. Montgomery is author of A History of Mobility in New Mexico: Mobile Landscape and Persistent Places (Routledge Press, 2021). This book is grounded in critical Indigenous philosophy and applies core principles within Indigenous thought to the archaeological record to challenge conventional understandings of occupation, use, and abandonment. She is also co-author alongside Chip Colwell of Objects of Survivance (University of Colorado Press, 2019), which investigates the history and legacy of Indian Education among several American Indian communities across the American West. In addition to these scholarly publications, her work has appeared in public-oriented media including PBS and magazines like SAPIENS and Archaeology Southwest.
Given the qualifications and experience outlined in your biographical statement, what do you believe you can contribute to SHA if elected?
Historically the Society for Historical Archaeology has had a strong focus on the archaeology of the eastern seaboard of the United States. Although this trend is gradually changing, as a member of the SHA nominations committee, I would work to deliberately expand the regional focus of the organization to integrate research more comprehensively from the North American Southwest and Great Plains. In addition to expanding the regional focus of the SHA, I would seek to center archaeological and historical work on Indigenous peoples that specifically uses collaborative community-based research methods. In line with these efforts, I would prioritize the participation of more Indigenous scholars, particularly junior scholars, in the SHA as well as seeking ways to integrate Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and other Indigenous community representatives more thoroughly into the meetings. These efforts would represent a significant step toward the diversification of the SHA annual meetings while pushing forward a more public-facing community-oriented ethics of praxis within the organization.
If elected to serve SHA, what priorities would you emphasize?
See statement above
ACUA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Amy Borgens
Present Position: State Marine Archeologist, Archeology Division, Texas Historical Commission (THC)
Education: doctoral candidate, Texas State University, Department of Geography (2019–); M.A., Nautical Archeology Program, Texas A&M University (2003); B.A., Fine Arts, Purdue University (1993)
Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies: Society for Historical Archaeology (SHA), conference co-chair, Fort Worth 2017; participation in SHA’s public archeology conference forums in 2011, 2017, and 2018. Led a tour for the SHA Conference, Austin 2011. Council of Texas Archeologists (CTA), Standards and Guidelines (S&G) Committee, member, 2017–present; CTA S&G Report Guidelines Subcommittee, chair, 2019–present; Texas Navy Association, Board of Directors 2016–2017; Texas Navy Association, History Committee Chair 2016–2017, 2019; NOAA Marine Protected Areas Cultural Resources Working Group 2014–2015
Research Interests: coastal archaeology, Gulf of Mexico maritime history and underwater archeology, Texas underwater archeology, climate change impacts to Texas coastal sites, survey methodologies and guidance
Biographical Statement: I was appointed State Marine Archeologist at the THC in June 2010. As the State Marine Archeologist, I am responsible for the preservation, protection, and investigation of shipwrecks and other submerged sites in all state-owned waters. Prior to my employment at the THC, I worked in cultural resource management (CRM) on both terrestrial and underwater archeological projects. I have worked in the field of Texas maritime archeology since 1997 and have been associated with several notable Texas shipwreck projects, including La Belle (1686) and USS Westfield (1863). In addition, I assisted in the excavation of Oklahoma’s only known shipwreck site, Heroine (1838), and participated in the remotely operated vehicle investigations of early 19th-century shipwrecks at depths exceeding 4,000 feet off the coast of Louisiana (the Mardi Gras and Monterrey Shipwreck Projects). Collectively, I have recorded historic shipwrecks dating from the Byzantine Period to the mid-20th century and have worked on projects in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Canada, Turkey, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Falkland Islands.
My specializations include early nineteenth-century Gulf of Mexico maritime history and the study of historic small arms artifact assemblages. My experience in the field of archeology includes wreck excavation and documentation, conservation, artifact photography, and illustration. As an author or coauthor, I have collectively produced more than 50 CRM reports and articles in peer-reviewed journals and industry newsletters, including (as an author and co-editor) La Belle: The Archeology of a 17th Century Ship of New World Colonization, recipient of the 2017 Keith Muckelroy Award.
Given your qualifications and experience, what do you believe you can contribute to the
ACUA/SHA if elected?
My experience in underwater archeology encompasses volunteer work, academia, cultural resources management, and regulatory policy administration and creation. In addition, I have worked with avocational archeologists (the THC’s Texas Archeological Stewardship Network and regional archeological associations), currently manage student interns, and work with staff at Texas coastal/maritime museums to collaborate in the local presentation of the state’s maritime history. I highly value the role of public outreach within our field and pursue opportunities to share these stories of discovery, history, and archeology in conference proceedings, local/regional public outreach events, and as a university guest lecturer constituting upwards of a dozen talks a year (pre-pandemic). These experiences, I believe, would benefit the ACUA/SHA as I have worked in a variety of archeological environments interfacing academic investigations, community service, policy creation/administration, volunteer and academic collaborations, and educational/public outreach. I strongly support student mentoring in our field and activity work in this endeavor as a resource at the SHA conferences, through the THC student internship program, and as a annual quest lecturer (single Spring semester course) at the Nautical Archaeology Program at Texas A&M University.
Though an underwater archeologist by training, I have worked on both underwater and land archeological investigations. The underwater investigations in which I have participated include high-visibility dive projects and deep-sea exploration with much of my work occurring in black-water environments. I believe these experiences create a broad spectrum understanding of the field of archeology, bridging avocational, academic, public, and regulatory archeology for both land and marine investigations.
If elected, what priorities would you emphasize taking into consideration the ACUA and SHA missions and goals, ongoing committee activities, and the management and financial challenges of the society?
There are four areas that are personal priorities (that my job provides ample opportunities for) that intersect with main ACUA/SHA goals: survey standards, student mentoring, the importance of public outreach, and also SRC awareness. I would greatly like to contribute towards development of ACUA industry best practices/survey standards to strengthen ACUA’s advisory role in the community. Along with other managers in SHA’s annual Government Maritime Managers Forum, I have assisted many states (and Japan, interestingly) with the development of their underwater guidelines since being hired by the THC in 2010. I also served such a role in the NOAA MAP workgroup in developing web content, best practices guidance. I have created a state POC maritime POC contact list that provides key summary information on individual states underwater guidance (ACUA has a draft of this document).
As a frequent manager and collaborator with undergraduate and graduate student interns, and as a student intern supervisor, I hope to assist the ACUA/SHA in its efforts to appeal and encourage student participation in the conferences and develop research opportunities to assist in their professional development (Education/Student Early Career Professional Mentorship Committees). I train students in artifact processing, documentation, and photography using agency collections to help in the development of applied skills. I also work closely with graduate and undergraduate students to assist with and encourage any Texas-oriented maritime studies projects (I have several ongoing currently). I feel very strongly about student mentoring which is why I initiated the underwater student internship at the THC soon after starting with the agency. Students participate in and assist in THC underwater surveys and coastal site assessments when these occur, as well as conducting research, and coauthoring blogs. I frequently present talks to the public and public archeology fairs to introduce the uninitiated to the realm of underwater archeology (SCR Awareness Workshop Committee). Many of the mission statements and goals of ACUA are already main components of my professional environment and topics I care greatly about.
Sarah E. Holland
Present Position: Principal Investigator, Gray & Pape, Inc.
Education: Ph.D., Maritime Archaeology, University of Southampton, England; M.Sc., Maritime Archaeology, University of Southampton, England; B.A., Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, Kentucky, USA
Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies: Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology (2018–present), Register of Professional Archaeologists (2015–present), Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology, Editorial Board Member (2014–Present), Nautical Archaeology Society (member most years since 2002), Elected Member of Executive Committee (2002–2005), Chair of the Outreach and Education Committee (2005–2007), Publications Committee Member (2004–2006), Society for Historical Archaeology (member most years since 2002), Co-publications Committee (2019–present), Inter-society Relations Committee member (2004–2007)
Research Interests: site formation processes and the application of related analyses to site management; use of legacy data to gain new understanding of sites and an appreciation for the evolution of maritime archaeology methodologies; public outreach, engagement, and education as a critical component of ongoing site management; development of inclusive interpretive programs, bringing understanding of maritime sites to a wider audience
Biographical Statement: My passion for ships, maritime and coastal history, and the sea was born out of a childhood spent on pleasure boats of the Ohio River and summers on North Carolina beaches. Since my high school days using copies of National Geographic to write papers on underwater archaeology for history class, I have been drawn to archaeology (both terrestrial and maritime) and to shipwrecks of all eras, and have pursued a lifelong fascination with the underwater world. Since those early days, I have worked for close to 20 years in cultural resource management and maritime archaeology in the United States and England, either in a professional role or as a student while in graduate school. This trans-Atlantic experience has given me a deeper understanding for the public appreciation of archaeology and, the particular allure of shipwrecks and other maritime archaeological sites. Bringing this underwater world to a wider audience is a primary goal in every aspect of my professional life.
As my first term on the ACUA Board of Directors comes to a close, I am eager to continue this association by running for a second term and am grateful to the selection committee for this opportunity. One of the most interesting and enjoyable aspects of my current term on the ACUA Board has been serving on the Mentoring Committee, including three terms as the Committee Chair. With the help of the other committee members, we have seen the mentoring program continue to build momentum, moving from strength to strength, and I am eager to continue working to create a truly powerful mentoring program as part of the ACUA commitment to education. Additionally, I have served as the chair of the Maritime Heritage Education and Training Committee, another association I would hope to continue in a second term.
Given your qualifications and experience, what do you believe you can contribute to the ACUA, if elected?
If elected to a second term as a member of the ACUA Board of Directors and member of the Executive Committee, I will continue to work with the organization in communicating a passion for the preservation of underwater cultural heritage and will work to find new ways to share that commitment with others through outreach and public engagement activities wherever the possibility may arise. My work with the ACUA Mentoring Committee has been a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging outlet for this passion and one I hope to continue. My past work with the Nautical Archaeology Society, the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology (now the Maritime Archaeology Trust), avocational dive groups, and site management organizations (such as state historic preservation offices in the U.S. and English Heritage in England), has given me a strong skillset for working with numerous and varied groups interested in the preservation, interpretation, and dissemination of information regarding underwater archaeological sites. During my first term on the ACUA Board of Directors, I’ve been able to continue this broad-based association with multiple groups across the world, working collaboratively for the preservation of underwater cultural heritage, a skillset I would hope to expand in a second term. Additionally, having worked for a number of years in academic textbook publishing, and in my current role as Technical Editor/Principal Investigator at Gray & Pape, Inc., I believe that one of my greatest assets is my understanding of the requirements for disseminating research results and analysis to a wider audience through a variety of avenues and for a range of audiences. As a member of the ACUA Board, I would continue my commitment to work to better communicate with a variety of audiences the importance of preserving underwater cultural heritage in a broad and inclusive way for future generations.
If elected, what priorities would you emphasize, taking into consideration the ACUA missions and goals, ongoing committee activities, and the management and financial challenges of the Society?
As previously mentioned, my deep interest in outreach and public engagement, including divers, avocational archaeologists, and interested members of the public, would continue to be a priority, if elected. I believe that it is through engagement with members of local communities outside of the professional and academic archaeological spheres, that archaeologists can find their strongest advocates for the ongoing preservation of archaeological sites. Creating champions and protectors of underwater cultural heritage through active engagement and education would be of primary interest.
Of course, by its very nature, outreach and engagement with the various stakeholders interested in a site relies upon the physical preservation, documentation, and ongoing management of these archaeological sites. My research into site formation processes and the varied approaches for ongoing site management would continue to be a focus. The need to disseminate such research in broad ways to multiple audiences is a challenge that I would welcome and would be a priority during my tenure on the ACUA Board. The need to include the public in understanding site formation processes, and how humans and nature directly impact maritime sites, would be a specific direction for outreach and public engagement. I believe that this, in particular, would encourage close collaboration with other members of the ACUA/SHA and with relevant committees to protect and preserve maritime sites.
Lastly, my experience both in cultural resource management and textbook publishing
professional societies come with their own set of budgetary and administrative constraints, something learned during my time working on a variety of committees for other organizations. Understanding these constraints and working as part of a team to produce the highest quality publications, outreach programs, and innovative means of public engagement would be a final priority.
Jennifer McKinnon, Ph.D.
Present Position(s): Associate Professor, East Carolina University, Program in Maritime Studies; Vice Chair, Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology
Education: Ph.D., Anthropology, Florida State University; M.A., Anthropology, Florida State University; B.A., Anthropology, University of Florida
Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies: SHA Committees: Public Education and Interpretation, 2014–present and SHA UNESCO, 2014–present; Gender and Minority Affairs 2018–present, ACUA: Board Director, 2018–present; Vice Chair 2020–present; Institutional Associate Member Representative for Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology, 2011–2018, ACUA Committees: Job Market Survey; Development; UNESCO; Diversity and Equity (Chair); Education; Nominations and Elections
Research Interests: conflict archaeology and WWII in the Pacific, Spanish colonial archaeology in southeastern U.S. and Pacific, U.S. Life-Saving Service history and archaeology, Indigenous maritime cultural landscapes and seascapes, community and public archaeology
Biographical Statement: I am an underwater and terrestrial archaeologist and an Associate Professor in East Carolina University’s (ECU) Department of History, Program in Maritime Studies. Prior to arriving at ECU in 2013, I was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Archaeology at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia from 2004 to 2013. This is when I began working in the western Pacific on WWII conflict sites, but also developed my interest in Indigenous maritime cultural landscapes and seascapes. Before moving to Australia, I was a Senior Underwater Archaeologist with the State of Florida’s Bureau of Archaeological Research where I continued my graduate studies interests in working on Spanish colonial heritage sites like the 1733 Spanish Galleon Trail project. I am a Research Associate with Ships of Exploration and Discovery Research, Inc. and Vice Chair of the Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology.
Given your qualifications and experience, what do you believe you can contribute to the ACUA/SHA if elected?
I believe my experience in serving on the Board for one term and my current position as Vice Chair of the Board provides institutional knowledge and continuity for ACUA moving forward. I feel my experience as an educator in underwater archaeology both in the US and Australia provides me with a particular viewpoint that can contribute to conversations about the direction of our field of study. For example, I served on an ACUA committee that designed and conducted a benchmarking survey of skills needed by underwater archaeology graduates, which provided useful information about education, the direction of our field, and associated jobs. That survey needs to be updated given it has been a number of years and technology within our field has changed rapidly. Additionally, I can act as a liaison between ACUA and students at universities and other educational organizations such as the UNESCO UNITWIN Underwater Archaeology Network, of which I am a member through ECU.
If elected, what priorities would you emphasize, taking into consideration the ACUA and SHA missions and goals, ongoing committee activities, and the management and financial challenges of the Society?
As an existing ACUA Board Director and Chair, I am serving on multiple ACUA and SHA committees and would continue to serve in these roles. One area I’m particularly interested in emphasizing is diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Last year I helped form the Diversity and Equity Committee of which I am Chair and was able to push for diversifying our Board and supporting inclusion in both structural (i.e., updating our bylaws with inclusive language) and specific forms (i.e., developing a diversity scholarship). I would like to have the opportunity to continue to work on DEI actions and continue to expand ACUA to be a more diverse organization (i.e., more diverse elected Board). I’d also like to strengthen ACUA’s relationship with SHA and GMAC in this area to make a stronger coalition that would push for and maintain accountability and actions in the areas of DEI.