SHA 2017 Election Results and Biographic Statements - Society for Historical Archaeology

President
Treasurer
Research Editor
Board of Directors
Nominations and Elections
ACUA Board of Directors

Barbara J. Heath

Barbara Heath

Present Position
Associate Professor, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Education
Ph.D., American Civilization with a specialization in historical archaeology, University of Pennsylvania, 1988
B.A., Anthropology and Spanish, The College of William and Mary, 1982

Professional Service to SHA and Other Relevant Groups
Society for Historical Archaeology: Nominations Committee, 2000; Membership Committee (chair), 2003–present; Budget Committee, 2005; Board of Directors, 2003–2005; Development Committee, 2005; silent auction coordinator 2006–2007; Editorial Advisory Committee, 2007–2014; Council for Northeast Historical Archaeology: Executive Board, 1992–1995; regional newsletter editor, 1996–2006; Archaeology Conservancy: Editorial Advisory Board, 2006–2008
Council of Virginia Archaeologists, Inc.: President, 2004–2006, Past President, 2008–2010; Treasurer, 1994–2003; Executive Board, 1994–2007, 2008–2010; Public Education Committee 1995–2007; Public Education Committee Chair, 2002–2003; State Plan Committee, 2007

Research Interests
archaeology of the African diaspora, colonialism, historic landscapes, consumerism, digital archaeology, public archaeology

Biographical Statement
I am an educator, researcher, and advocate for archaeology, with experience in cultural resource management, historic preservation, state government, community engagement, and higher education. I currently serve as Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where I teach historical archaeology at the undergraduate and graduate levels and mentor M.A. and Ph.D. students. Prior to my arrival at UTK, I directed the public archaeology program at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest from 1992 to 2006, and taught as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Sweet Briar College. From 1988 to 1991, I supervised fieldwork and served as Acting Director of Archaeology at Monticello. I have fulfilled a variety of roles in SHA, most importantly as a member of the board and as chair of the membership committee. In addition to my professional involvements with SHA and other archaeological societies detailed above, I served on the Virginia State Review Board for five years, which reviews and approves National Register nominations at the state level, and continue to serve as a member of other preservation-related advisory groups.

My publications focus on topics relating to the intersection between slavery, landscapes, and consumerism. My current research focuses on 17th-century colonial interactions on Virginia’s Northern Neck. This work arose from my long-term interest in the archaeology of colonialism and the African diaspora and a desire to re-engage with older archaeological collections. My current project is part of a larger body of collaborative research on the Potomac River valley and contributes to efforts to make archaeological data available and accessible for online research through digital resources such as Colonial Encounters and The Digital Archaeological Archive of Comparative Slavery.

Given the qualifications and experience outlined in your biographical statement, what do you believe you can contribute to SHA if elected as SHA President-Elect/Board Member?

Over the last 30 years, I have worked in archaeology across a variety of settings, including cultural resource management, state government, historic sites, and academia, and been an active member of state, regional, national, and international professional societies. This combination of experiences has helped me to develop strong leadership skills and has provided me with a broad and balanced perspective on the challenges facing the discipline. I have extensive administrative experience overseeing personnel, scheduling and budgets; have worked collaboratively with colleagues in multiple institutions on a variety of research and publishing projects; have been active in public education and mentoring students and new professionals, and have a strong network within and outside of SHA whose expertise and advice I can draw on to benefit the society.

I attended my first SHA meeting in Williamsburg, Virginia when I was a graduate student in the early 1980s: ever since, SHA has been my professional home; a place to engage with new research, to visit with old friends, to introduce students to the profession, to share my own work, and to collaborate with colleagues on society business. SHA benefits from strong and effective leadership, a talented and committed staff, and important liaisons with other professional communities. Over the course of more than 30 years of membership, and through participation on the budget and development committees, the membership committee, and the editorial advisory committee, I have developed a solid understanding of the operations of the society and the challenges that it faces in maintaining a strong financial base, attracting and maintaining members, disseminating excellent scholarship, and partnering with diverse constituents. My service as membership committee chair has put me in touch with a broad cross-section of archaeologists, and, through the administration and analysis of surveys, has provided the society with important information about member needs and interests. I understand the factors that attract people to join SHA and that affect membership renewal, and have worked with the committee and the board to address concerns of students and new professionals through creating new categories of membership. Strong and stable membership numbers are critical to everything that SHA hopes to achieve as an organization, especially our ability to engage in education and advocacy at a time of such fiscal and political uncertainty.

If elected to serve SHA, what priorities would you emphasize?

At this moment in time, nearly all aspects of SHA’s mission are under assault through attacks on existing legislation, funding cuts, and a pervasive anti-intellectual political climate. It is critical that we use the society’s resources to strengthen our voice and continue to build ties with our many partners in preservation to combat the myriad legislative and administrative threats to archaeological resources and the work of archaeologists worldwide. Opposing attempts to dismantle or eradicate the legal frameworks and funding sources that support the preservation and management of cultural resources, research, and interpretation has to be a top priority. We should not lose sight of other important priorities, however: to educate others and ourselves, to produce and share knowledge, and to maintain high ethical standards. Beyond reacting to outward threats, we should work together as an inclusive body of researchers and educators to learn and teach diverse audiences about the past. Building alliances, lobbying, and educating are all useful strategies for opposing external threats, but will also strengthen the stated goals of SHA. Central to achieving these goals is our ability to sustain the organization through sound financial management, targeted development goals, and a stable membership base. I will work closely with the board and committee chairs on a strong advocacy agenda and to set realistic financial and membership goals that will enable us to continue to make progress during these difficult times.

Treasurer

Sara F. Mascia

Sara Mascia

Current Position
Vice President, Historical Perspectives, Inc., Westport, Connecticut

Education
Ph.D., Archaeology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 1995
M.A., Archaeology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 1989
B.A., Anthropology and History, University of South Carolina, 1983

Professional Service
CNEHA: Board Member, Executive Vice Chair, Treasurer, 2006 Conference Co-Chair (with Nancy Brighton); SHA: Employment Coordinator; Member, Nominating Committee, Conference Committee, Academic and Professional Training Committee, Membership Committee; Secretary-Treasurer; Treasurer

Research Interests
American material culture, farmstead sites, historical cemetery studies, urban archaeology, accounting and bookkeeping

Biographical Statement
I have always believed that volunteerism is essential to the health and growth of historical archaeology. I further believe that it is a privilege to serve on the board and the SHA committees that help promote our field to our colleagues and the public. I have been a member of the society for over 30 years and during that time I have served on several committees including the Nominating, Conference, Membership, and Academic and Professional Training Committees. I have also had the privilege to serve for many years on the SHA Board. As a result, I have been able to work with a large number of SHA members to help further our discipline and encourage SHA’s efforts in providing excellent publications and meetings for the membership. Working on committees has also provided me with insight into some of the issues that SHA members face as practitioners of a very complex discipline.

As a Vice President at Historical Perspectives, Inc. for over ten years, I have supervised staff and prepared budgets for a variety of complex projects and administered all aspects of project management. My work in cultural resources management has provided me with the skills to work within the fiscal parameters of a balanced budget. This proficiency has further provided me with the foundation for my service as the Treasurer for the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Given the qualifications and experience outlined in your biographical statement, what do you believe you can contribute to SHA if elected as SHA Treasurer?

One of my primary goals when I began my role as SHA Treasurer was to streamline the expenses of our organization in order to build the society’s reserve funds. The establishment of an appropriate reserve will help ensure that SHA remains financially healthy in our challenging economy. I continue to believe that the growth and maintenance of SHA depends on the stability of our reserves, which enables the society to accomplish our long-term goals and support our student members. Over the last several years I have worked closely with our investment account manager to slowly increase our reserves to a level considered to be appropriate.

The most challenging task of the SHA Treasurer is keep our membership and conference fees as stable as possible while working to safeguard all of the unique services that the society provides to our members. My experience with CRM finance, academic grant management, association budget coordination, investment management, and accounting, combined with the recognition of the unique elements that make up our society, enable me to efficiently work with SHA board members and our Executive Director on maintaining balanced budgets.

If elected to serve as a Treasurer of SHA what priorities would you emphasize taking into account SHA’s missions and goals, ongoing committee activities, and the management and financial challenges of the Society?

I have been fortunate to serve as the Treasurer for the society for several years. With the assistance of the entire SHA board, SHA has established a firm financial foundation providing us with the means to maintain the production of high-quality publications and inspiring conferences.

As Treasurer of SHA, I have been provided with the opportunities to meet and work with peers and students on pertinent issues that are encountered by all working archaeologists. Over the last few years, there have been some potential political discussions and pronouncements that have threatened historic resources and the foundation of the system of protections for archaeological sites in the United States. I believe that one of our priorities is both vigilant monitoring of our elected officials for any potential threats to the protection of historic sites and public archaeology and speaking out on behalf of our members and colleagues. To that end, I sincerely believe that the promotion of our discipline, as well as the diverse projects that our members are working on, provides a bridge for the public to understand the research aims of all historical archaeologists.
If I am re-elected to the board, my overall priority is to ensure that SHA maintains a balanced budget while meeting the needs of our diverse members. SHA has been a successful organization for five decades and as a member of the board, I believe it is our responsibility to encourage both student and professional participation in our organization. I also will continue to encourage the expansion of our public presence (e.g., the website and SHA publications) and to advocate for our student members. I believe that SHA’s support for student members and the spirit of volunteerism is vital to the continued growth of the society.

Research Editor

Annalies Corbin

Annalies Corbin

Present Position(s):
President and CEO, PAST Foundation

Education:
Ph.D., History and Historical Archaeology, University of Idaho, 2000. Multidisciplinary doctorate program—specializing in transportation history and the American West (Department of History) and historical archaeology (Department of Anthropology)
M.A., Maritime History and Nautical Archaeology, East Carolina University, 1995
B.S., Anthropology, University of South Dakota, 1993

Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies:
SHA: Co-Publications Editor, 2007–present; Associate Editor, Historical Archaeology, 2000–2006; Book Reviews Editor, Historical Archaeology, 2001–2003; Technical Briefs in Historical Archaeology: Associate Editor, 2004–2006; Journal of Maritime Archaeology: Co-Editor in Chief, 2010–present

Research Interests:
advancing education through quality applied research, maritime archaeology, global sustainability and impact, social justice and equity, STEM education and policy

Biographical Statement:
I am the Founder, President and CEO and Chief Goddess of the PAST Foundation. The PAST Foundation was founded in 2000 and is an organization we envisioned could lead the way to connecting scientific research with classrooms, schools, and communities. PAST opened its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio in 2005, assembling a team that could grow the reach and mission—all steeped within an anthropological lens.

From a single school partnership in 2006, we have grown PAST’s partnerships across the nation, building a reputation for both transforming educational delivery and understanding tomorrow’s education needs. In 2015, our commitment to transforming schools led to the development of PAST Innovation Lab. This lab connects educators, students, business, and community partners together to create innovative learning programs in the nation’s first independent Education R & D Prototyping Facility. PAST is transforming the landscape of teaching and learning by taking our roots in anthropology and archaeology as the primary driver in program redesign, creating transdisciplinary problem-based learning environments.

Our work at the PAST Foundation has been recognized many times over the years. Most recently, the foundation was also honored with the Smart 50, top Innovation Award, selected by the White House to collaborate on the Next Generation High Schools Summit, and recognized for its Excellence in Education as reported by the U.S. Department of Education in its STEM 2026 report.

Given the qualifications and experience outlined in your biographical statement, what do you believe you can contribute to SHA if elected as SHA President-Elect/Board Member?

I have been involved with SHA-based research and publications since 2001. My commitment to ensuring that SHA members have meaningful outlets for research, work, and public engagement through publications fulfills a primary requirement as a practicing archaeologist.

If elected to serve SHA, what priorities would you emphasize?

One of SHA’s strategic priorities is to reach further into the global community. One of the primary ways in which SHA can ensure reaching this goal is by maintaining a strong and relevant research publications program via the society’s journal, Historical Archaeology, and through a robust and diverse co-publications program.

SHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Flordeliz (Florie) T. Bugarin

Present Position(s):
Associate Professor, African Studies Department, Howard University

Education:
Ph.D., Anthropology, University of Florida, 2002
M.A., University of Florida, 1996
B.A., University of California, Berkeley 1991

Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies:
SHA: Organized two GMAC-sponsored Anti-Racist Workshops for the 2017 conference (the Introductory Workshop and the Second Steps Workshop) in Fort Worth, TX, 2016–2017; Local Arrangements Chair, Conference Organizing Committee, SHA 2016 Conference—duties included: toured location site of the conference; helped organize the Past President’s Luncheon and the annual SHA Conference Museum Reception; coordinated with other local committee members, such as the organizer of the Public Archaeology Forum and the organizer of the conference excursions; organized some conference excursions, including a tour of Mount Vernon and the 2016 GMAC Conference Excursion that highlighted African American sites, 2015–2016; Organizer, Co-Chair, and Participant, GMAC sponsored Introductory Anti-Racist Workshop for the 2016 SHA conference in Washington, DC, 2015–2016; Established the GMAC sponsored Mark E. Mack Community Engagement Award—co-wrote the proposal and submitted it to the SHA Board. It was approved, implemented, and awarded during the 2016 and 2017 SHA Conference Award Ceremonies, in Washington, DC and Fort Worth, TX, 2015–2016; Organizer and Co-Host, Roundtable Luncheon on issues of anti-racism, “Race and the SHA,” session RL-2, co-hosted with Carol McDavid, for the 2016 SHA session on Anti-Racism and Diversity in Historical Archaeology, SHA Conference, Washington, DC, January 2016; Organizer, Co-Chair, and Participant, GMAC sponsored Anti-Racist Workshop for the 2015 SHA conference in Seattle, WA, 2014–2015; GMAC Diversity Field School Competition: designed, proposed to the SHA Board, and implemented the competition on December 23, 2013: negotiated with publishers who provided books as an award for this competition and formed a committee to review the applicants. Since 2013, this competition has been an annual event; GMAC Diversity Photo Competition: designed, proposed to the SHA Board, and implemented the competition in December 2013. In following years, this competition was subsumed into the ACUA photo competition. A diversity category is now included in the annual competition; Chair, Gender and Minority Affairs Committee (GMAC), 2012–2017; Attendee (as Chair of the GMAC) with SHA President Paul Mullins, the anti-racism training workshop, “The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond—Undoing Racism,” Washington, DC, July 13–15, 2012; Attendee (as Chair of the GMAC), Diversity Training Retreat, held for SHA Board members in Alexandria, VA, June 15, 2012
World Archaeology Congress: served as the elected USA Representative to the Assembly for the Seventh World Archaeological Congress (WAC-7), The Dead Sea, Jordan, January 13–18, 2013; served as the elected USA Representative to the Assembly for the Sixth World Archaeological Congress (WAC-6), June 30–July 4, 2008, Dublin, Ireland
AAA: Elected Member of the AAA Committee on Minority Affairs (CMIA), 2013–2017
Howard University: Chair, Sociology and Anthropology Special Events Committee, 2009–2011—organized, directed, and raised funds for the departmental conference, “Windows from the Present to the Past: The Archaeology of Africa and the African Diaspora”, February 25–27, 2010. This event brought more than 30 historical archaeologists to Howard University to discuss the latest research regarding the heritage of Africans and people of African descent.
Peer Reviewer: Nomination of the town site New Philadelphia, Illinois as a National Historic Landmark, spring 2008. New Philadelphia was nominated due to the significant information the archaeological resources might provide for our understandings of African American historical sites and free multi-racial rural communities.
Designer and Director: Workshop on the World Bank’s Safeguard Policy on Physical Cultural Resources in accordance with the Fifth World Archaeological Congress (WAC-5) for the World Bank Department of the Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development, Quality Control (ESD/QC)

Research Interests:
Africa and African Diaspora, diversity and anti-racism, conservation and international development, child material culture, environment, and the colonial contact period to the post-Reconstruction years

Biographical Statement:
As an academic and applied archaeologist, I have strived to practice historical archaeology while being mindful of the importance of working with descendent and local communities. My research focuses on trade and exchange, slavery, child material culture, and environment, and covers the colonial contact period to the post-Reconstruction years. My applied work looks at (1) the intersections between archaeology and racism, (2) ways in which we can transform our organizations into bodies that are more diverse, and (3) ethics, safeguards, and the management of sites as a strategy of poverty alleviation. Beyond my research, I am also an Associate Professor who works at Howard University, an HBCU. As a teacher, I try to inspire students of color to become historical archaeologists, and I encourage them to adapt a service-oriented, community-driven approach to their research.

Specifically, I am interested in how historical archaeology and the conservation of heritage sites align with the triumphs and challenges of people today. How does our profession impact, perpetuate, or solve modern social problems such as racism? While I have focused on the archaeology of Africa and the African Diaspora, I have broadened my interests to include the archaeology of other populations of color and recipients of different forms of discrimination such as gender inequities and sexism.

I hope to contribute to an SHA that fights to be all-inclusive. As a scholar who has done international and national historical archaeology, I hope that the future of the discipline will include diversity, increased international involvement, and more collaboration with descendant, local, and public communities. I aspire to see an SHA that attracts people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and people from all economic levels. If elected, I will work towards growing SHA by attempting to create a more diverse organization.

Given the qualifications and experience outlined in your biographical statement, what do you believe you can contribute to SHA if elected as SHA President-Elect/Board Member?

I began my journey in historical archaeology in the 90s when I studied with Jim Deetz at U.C. Berkeley, attended his Flowerdew Hundred field school, and accompanied him to South Africa. I continued studies under Kathy Deagan and Peter Schmidt at the University of Florida where I began work in Africa and gained further understanding of how historical archaeology is practiced globally. With almost 30 years of experience, I feel qualified to be an SHA Board member, since I can pass down their insights and create unique opportunities for members.

My committee work demonstrates my devotion to SHA, issues of diversity, and anti-racism. I have been the Chair of the SHA Gender and Minority Affairs Committee for five years, and the Local Arrangements Chair for the 2016 SHA conference. I was elected to the AAA Committee on Minority Issues in Anthropology and twice elected as the USA Representative to the Assembly for the World Archaeological Congress. I organized a conference at Howard U. on the historical archaeology of Africa and the African Diaspora, an event that attracted about 30 scholars and involved raising funds for expenses and grants.
Through my experiences, I have reached out to the public and have inspired different people to love historical archaeology. I have lived in a South African township, worked at a Gambian World Heritage site, and run field schools in low-income rural areas. My research at Nicodemus, an all-black town established in Kansas, is on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

My work has helped me create solutions, manage with few resources, and navigate different agendas. With these qualifications, I will offer a unique perspective to the board. While maintaining sound financial strategies, I want to help grow SHA yet preserve its family spirit.

If elected to serve as a director of SHA, what priorities would you emphasize taking into account SHA’s missions and goals, and ongoing committee activities, and the management and financial challenges of the Society?

I would be honored to serve on the SHA Board, and if elected, I would work on increasing our membership and enhancing our international footprint. I believe that the best way to do this is to reach out to minorities, students, the general public, and people of all backgrounds both at home and abroad. To see SHA flourish, I will strive towards creating an all-inclusive community that maintains member benefits, pinpoints the needs of members, and manages a budget that sustains affordable dues. I am committed to working with SHA members to make archaeology more accessible. I also live in the Washington, D.C. area so I am available to meet with representatives to advocate for our profession and society.

One priority would be to inspire more students. As a professor, I have seen the impact of reaching undergraduates early in their academic careers and educating younger students before they go to college. Through more partnerships with schools and services for teachers, we can raise awareness about historical archaeology.

I would also support the SHA Gender and Minority Affairs Committee (GMAC), while urging all the committees to work together. I would advocate for the anti-racist workshops and other programs that encourage diversity. I would continue to support incentives and awards that encourage members to engage in diversity initiatives.
While identifying areas that lack representation, we need to recognize that SHA can only attract and keep members if our dues are affordable and our programs meet their needs. In many circumstances, I have had to devise creative solutions under financial constraints. If elected, I will work to increase SHA resources and maintain a wide array of services and programs. My goal would be to sustain the interests of our members and draw the attention of a diverse and global audience.

Audrey Horning

Audrey Horning

Present Position(s):
Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, College of William and Mary; Professor of Archaeology and Fellow, Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security, and Justice, Queen’s University Belfast

Education:
Ph.D., Historical Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania, 1995
M.A., American Civilization, University of Pennsylvania
B.A., Anthropology and History, College of William and Mary, 1989

Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies:
SHA: Conference Co-Chair and Terrestrial Program Co-chair, Leicester UK, 2013; Associate Editor, Historical Archaeology, 2004–present; Member, Awards Committee, 2014–present; Elected Member, Nominations Committee, 2012–2014; Intersociety Relations Committee
Society for Post-Medieval Archaeology (SPMA): Council Member, 2000–present; Officer roles include Monograph Editor, 2012–present; Secretary, 2006–2012; Newsletter Editor, 2004–2006; Website Manager, 2002–2004
Irish Post-Medieval Archaeology Group: Co-founder and Committee member, 2001–present; Officer roles include Secretary, Newsletter Editor
British Academy: Member, Reflections on Archaeology (steering group), 2015–2017
University Archaeology UK (steering group): Elected Member, 2015–2016
Society of Antiquaries London and the Society of Antiquaries Scotland: Elected Fellow

Research Interests:
comparative colonialism; Atlantic World; archaeology and conflict transformation; archaeological ethics

Biographical Statement:
I have been an active member of SHA since 1990 and I am delighted to have been nominated to run for the board. Over my career, I have been fortunate to work on both sides of the Atlantic—in the U.S., England, and Northern Ireland—giving me insight into both the global expansion of the discipline as well as its diverse regional and national expressions. While currently a university-based academic, I have also worked across sectors, for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, with the National Park Service, and in private-sector cultural resource management. In addition to my service with SHA, I have worked hard to develop historical archaeology on the island of Ireland as a founding member of the Irish Post-Medieval Archaeology Group, while also serving the UK-based Society for Post-Medieval Archaeology in various capacities as a Council member since 2000. Both these roles allowed me to engage with the different contexts, forms of research, and development needs of Irish, British, and European postmedieval archaeology. I was very pleased to be able to serve as conference co-chair for SHA’s second non-North American annual conference held in Leicester, England in 2013. Our aim with that conference was to expand understandings of practice and research on both sides of the Atlantic, bringing together scholars from over 50 countries and reaching individuals who might not typically be involved with SHA. My research itself builds on this transatlantic perspective by engaging directly with the contested historical legacies of early modern European expansion, particularly in Northern Ireland but also in the U.S. I have learned that archaeology can play a critical role in contemporary conversations and conflict transformation, and as such I am very keen to see the society continue to develop its leading role in encouraging and facilitating ethical and community-inclusive practice. Archaeology for me ‘matters’ because it is highly relevant to addressing contemporary global challenges. I would like to work with the society in fostering capacity-building efforts with global partners, a process that must be rooted in a critical awareness of and respect for the different needs and circumstances of practitioners and those many communities with whom we work.

Given the qualifications and experience outlined in your biographical statement, what do you believe you can contribute to SHA if elected as SHA President-Elect/Board Member?

I believe that my 27 years of active SHA membership and my officer roles with international sister societies will provide a valuable perspective to board discussions in terms of experience in global historical archaeology, knowledge of the society, and understanding of the challenges of running voluntary organizations. Additionally, I have experience in working across sectors and with a range of community partners. Throughout my career I have prioritized discourse and think it is important to have conversations across silos rather than only within silos. By way of illustration, in 2009 I and colleague Professor Marilyn Palmer organized a conference and follow-up publication entitled Crossing Paths or Sharing Tracks as the result of our shared concern about the fragmentation of historical archaeology into different specialized groups and societies—those focusing on postmedieval archaeology, industrial archaeology, and contemporary archaeology. The result was more than the sum of its parts, with recognition of a shared mission as well as the value of supporting each other in the further development of new approaches to old problems.

If elected to serve SHA, what priorities would you emphasize?

There are two strands to my answer. One relates to the practical day-to-day running of the society, for which I would bring a pragmatic perspective developed through my former role in university senior management as Head of the School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology at Queen’s University Belfast. In that role I was responsible for a multimillion pound yearly budget, management of over 70 academic, technical, and professional services staff, and oversight of more than 500 students during a challenging period of austerity and university restructuring. While prosaic, it is imperative that the society be well run as members expect value for their money. Furthermore, a well-run society is able to take risks and develop new initiatives without fear of destabilization. The second, more-exciting strand to my answer is to help lead the continuing development of SHA as a body with a conscience, willing to step up and be seen and heard on matters of concern to our discipline, our members, our community partners, and of course all those long gone for whom we speak as archaeologists. In recent years the society has taken on more of an activist, outward-looking stance which I wholeheartedly support and would welcome the opportunity to share in further developing that mission.

NOMINATIONS and ELECTIONS

Liza Gijanto

Liza Gijanto

Present Position(s):
Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Education:
Ph.D., Anthropology, Syracuse University, 2010
M.A., Archaeology, University College London, Institute of Archaeology, 2002
B.A., Anthropology and History, Rutgers University, 2000
Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies:
SHA: Member, 2002–present; Member, GMAC, 2014–present; Coordinator, Harriet Tubman Student Travel Award, 2015–present; Member, Curation Committee, 2016–present
Society for American Archaeology; American Anthropological Association; Society for Africanist Archaeology; Society for Applied Anthropology; Archaeology Society of Maryland, St. Mary’s County chapter: Member, past and current

Research Interests:
African Atlantic archaeology, Atlantic World, heritage and tourism, postcolonial studies, slavery and abolition, digital field methods

Biographical Statement:
Since 2001 I have worked on projects in the United States, West Africa, and the Caribbean primarily associated with communities of African descent. I focus on the complex socioeconomic relationships that formed the fabric of the Atlantic World which came to define our own understanding of race, class, and gender and strive to make my students view their experiences as directly connected to this period.
I have dedicated most of my career in archaeology to training students including instilling a strong ethical compass and sense of responsibility to the public. Part of my commitment to training students is to promote diversity within our field. For me diversity not only includes race and gender but also mentoring students from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds as well as those from outside the United States. As part of my 13 years working in The Gambia, I have provided field opportunities and training to university and grade-school students as well as museum and heritage professionals alongside American field school students. Guiding all of this work is my goal to promote a view of stewardship and research that always engages the local community and other stakeholders with an interest in the project.
In addition to encouraging students to contribute to the research design and interpretations of projects in the field and classroom, I have brought a number of undergraduates to SHA annual meetings, either as a coauthor or mentor, to present posters and papers drawing on independent research developed out of field school experiences.
Our field is uniquely situated to engage a wide range of audiences in addition to being relevant to the numerous communities which seek to engage with their past. The best way to communicate this as well as to ensure the ethical stewardship of archaeological and heritage sites, it is important to expose students from diverse backgrounds to archaeology, whether or not they choose to become professionals.

Given the qualifications and experience outlined in your biographical statement, what do you believe you can contribute to SHA if elected as SHA President-Elect/Board Member?

If I am elected to the Nominations Committee, I believe my international experience coupled with my dedication to undergraduate mentoring will bring a unique perspective to the committee. First, my international experience and collaboration with professionals in the heritage community abroad has made me aware of the potential role SHA can play providing professional development opportunities and assistance to archaeologists in regions with limited resources. Such collaborations would create a forum for promoting this organization’s ethical principles regarding research, reporting, and preservation. My international work and connections will enable me to broaden our reach to underrepresented locals such as the Caribbean and West Africa where many of our members carry out research including collaborative and public outreach programs. Second, my dedication to mentoring students will focus on increasing undergraduate participation in our annual meetings and the organization. This can be accomplished by encouraging candidates that promote student-centered research programs. If, as an organization, we are truly committed to diversity, we must strive to engage with students early in their archaeological career, and ideally they should come from many different places and backgrounds.

If elected to serve SHA, what priorities would you emphasize?

I am a strong advocate for student-centered research that promotes training and public engagement. As part of this, I have sought to provide numerous students with field experience inside and outside of the United States. I have been an instructor and director of numerous field schools in the United States, West Africa, and the Caribbean. I believe that our organization will be stronger if we can attract and provide opportunities for students and professionals from outside the United States. If elected to the Nominations Committee, I would promote candidates to positions that would work to broaden our international appeal and accessibility to students and professionals. I would also encourage those who are interested in expanding the organization’s mentoring programs, specifically those that engage undergraduates to stand for positions within the organization. As a member of the GMAC, I am committed to diversity within the organization in all its forms. This includes expanding our membership to include individuals from around the world and at all stages of their careers in historical archaeology.

Christina J. Hodge

Christina Hodge

Present Postion(s):
Academic Curator and Collections Manager, Stanford University Archaeology Collections

Education:
Ph.D., Archaeology, Boston University, 2007
M.A., Archaeological Heritage Management, Boston University, 2000
A.B., Anthropology, Harvard University, 1998

Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies:
Council for Northeast Historical Archaeology: Elected At-large Member, Executive Board, with service on the Subcommittee for Collaborative Preservation and the Recruitment Initiative Subcommittee

Research Interests:
archaeologies of affiliation; intersectional masculinity studies; consumerism; museum anthropology; object-based learning; collaborative and community-based methodologies

Biographical Statement:
I am an historical archaeologist and museum anthropologist focusing on material cultures of affiliation in the colonial world. Commonalities between these realms define my professional practice, which combines social archaeological research; a focus on material culture; community-engaged stewardship; and concern with imparting material literacy and cultural competency through collections-based education. My work as Academic Curator and Collections Manager for the Stanford University Archaeology Collections exemplifies this synergy. I am responsible for daily operations and long-term planning across all areas of collections work, providing expertise, vision, and strategic thinking in collections management, exhibitions, research, outreach, and teaching. I arrived at Stanford after many years in curation, repatriation, university engagement, and community collaboration at Harvard’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography, where I codirected the Harvard Yard Archaeology Project. While there, I also developed courses in repatriation, museum ethics, material history, and archaeological methods. I published Consumerism and the Emergence of the Middle Class in Colonial America in 2014. I am working on several material-culture-based projects on identity, colonialism, consumerism, and the tensions between individual and institutional authority in early America, as well as on the social roles and pedagogical potential of museum collections. I possess a deep, practical understanding of collections-based work through experience with archaeological and ethnographic collections in a university setting. This work shapes my vision for archaeology as a discipline of living collections. Scrupulous, reflexive research can illuminate the resonance and wonder of things while serving contemporary goals of democratization, historic critique, and community visibility.

Given the qualifications and experience outlined in your biographical statement, what do you believe you can contribute to SHA if elected as SHA President-Elect/Board Member?

If elected to the Nominations and Elections Committee, I would serve SHA and its members with a strong background in collections-based professionalism that bridges multiple sites of archaeological endeavor, from field to academy, museum to heritage site. I see the role of historical archaeology as one of social engagement and appreciate projects that make clear contributions to this goal. My work with the Council for Northeastern Historical Archaeology board—especially the Subcommittee for Collaborative Preservation, which educates members about the challenges and opportunities of working with avocationalists—reinforces this perspective. Curatorial collaborations with descendant community members and other stakeholders challenge me to reflect on what archaeologists do, why we do it, and for whom, while teaching ensures I constantly deliberate these questions with my students. I am most directly connected to collections-based research, museum anthropology, and university engagement. But I also bring a broad appreciation of how reflexivity and theory shape archaeological practice.

If elected to serve SHA, what priorities would you emphasize?

If elected, I would emphasize two priority areas of professional practice. The first is the role of historical archaeology as a project of linkage, supporting SHA’s mission of knowledge exchange. Our work can not only link constituencies, such as university students and descendant community members, but also link archaeology with allied realms of anthropology, American and area studies, materials science, digital humanities, and beyond. It’s not just that interdisciplinarity is increasingly important in a post-STEM world. It’s that people have never lived in disciplinary boxes. Some of the most impactful archaeology projects work across specialties to create new understandings. The second area I’d emphasize is archaeology as socially engaged knowledge production. Social engagement may take many forms: correcting damaging historical metanarratives through material cultural research; raising community visibility via collaborative interpretive projects; or simply improving the findability of curated collections for those who may care about them. There are many ways to answer the questions: For whom are we working? And why? The Nominations and Elections Committee is a wonderful space for collaboratively addressing these questions.

ACUA BOARD of DIRECTORS

Madeline Fowler

Madeline Fowler

Present Position(s):
Senior Curator Maritime Archaeology, Cultures and Histories Program, Queensland Museum Network, College of Arts, Society and Education, James Cook University
Adjunct Associate Lecturer, Department of Archaeology, Flinders University

Education:
Ph.D., Archaeology, Flinders University, 2015
B.Arch. (Hons), Archaeology, Flinders University, 2012

Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies:
Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology: Secretary, 2012–2015; Councilor, 2016–present

Research Interests:
maritime and underwater archaeology; island and coastal archaeology; maritime cultural landscapes and seascapes; promoting diversity within the archaeological discipline; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander archaeology; community-based research; Indigenous representation and the decolonization of maritime and underwater archaeology; supplementing conventional teaching methods with nontraditional approaches; career paths of young professionals and early-career researchers

Biographical Statement:
My career in archaeology has focused mainly on research and teaching. Undertaking my Ph.D. at Flinders University, I applied a maritime cultural landscape approach while collaborating with the Narungga Aboriginal community at a former mission station to record their postcontact maritime heritage. I have taught a variety of archaeology topics, from first-year classes to postgraduate courses and have supervised on numerous maritime archaeology field schools. My current academic post at James Cook University in Australia’s tropical north involves research, student supervision, and guest teaching. My prior appointment as a marine archaeologist at the UK consultancy, Wessex Archaeology, has provided me with a balanced perspective of the constraints within cultural resource management. In my current position as senior curator maritime archaeology at the Queensland Museum Network, I am gaining significant curatorial, collection management, exhibition, and public programming experience.
I have held a position on the AIMA executive for three years and presently hold a councilor role representing Queensland. I have also notably presented my Australian research at the two most recent SHA conferences and have contributed to ACUA/SHA publications such as the Underwater Archaeology Proceedings and the When the Land Meets the Sea series.

Given your qualifications and experience, what do you believe you can contribute to the ACUA/SHA if elected?

During my doctoral research with the Narungga Aboriginal community in Australia, I developed extensive community-based research experience which particularly examined convergences between Indigenous and maritime archaeology. This included tangible outcomes involving Indigenous peoples in collaborative museum exhibitions, publications, and conference sessions. I could therefore contribute to best-practice advice for ethical maritime archaeology. My well-rounded working background—across academia, consultancy, and museums—would allow me to draw on varied experiences if elected.
As an early-career researcher, currently holding academic positions at two Australian universities, I am uniquely placed in the transitory period between student and professional. This position, in addition to significant undergraduate and postgraduate teaching experience, would allow me to provide applied, real-world advice to support the future generation of underwater archaeologists. My continued involvement with AIMA would also provide a reliable conduit between ACUA/SHA and underwater archaeology activities in Australia.

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?

I believe it is critical to stress the ACUA and SHA’s missions to strive towards diversity, both within the ACUA/SHA bodies and within the field of underwater archaeology. I am particularly keen to see Indigenous peoples and young professionals (students and early-career researchers) actively engaged in the activities of the ACUA. I would like to see these opportunities formalized through targeted projects and programs to extend the current efforts made by the ACUA and SHA in this area. Having experienced firsthand the mentorship of female role models on the ACUA board, I believe recruiting, mentoring, facilitating, and promoting the organizations members is critical. As an international advisory body, a collaborative effort to become more socially relevant is best accomplished through partnerships. If elected, I would endeavor to encourage existing and new sustainable networks.

Sarah E. Holland

Sarah Holland

Present Position(s):
Principal Investigator, Gray & Pape, Inc.

Education:
Ph.D., Maritime Archaeology, University of Southampton
M.Sc., Maritime Archaeology, University of Southampton
B.A., Northern Kentucky University

Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies:
Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology: Editorial Board Member, 2014–present; Nautical Archaeology Society: 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: 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 the 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 more than 15 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 transatlantic experience has given me a deep 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 my goal in every aspect of my professional life.

While pursuing graduate education in England, I worked closely with not-for-profit organizations managing shipwreck sites, and assisted in public outreach programs allowing divers and avocational archaeologists to have access to protected wreck sites. This included the development and promotion of shipwreck diver trails, public meetings, and lectures; and the publication of materials for the public regarding protected shipwreck sites. During that time, I was closely involved with the Nautical Archaeology Society as a member of the Education and Outreach Committee, the Publications Committee, and the Executive Committee, roles that I have missed in recent years due to returning to the U.S. to focus on finishing my Ph.D.
Having completed my graduate studies, I am delighted to finally have the opportunity to become more involved with SHA and I look forward to the opportunity to serve on the ACUA Board.

Given your qualifications and experience, what do you believe you can contribute to the ACUA/SHA if elected?

It is no exaggeration to say that I have been fascinated by shipwreck sites since high school. I believe that one of the key ways I can contribute to the ACUA is by channeling that passion and using my communication skills to share that excitement with others. My past work with the NAS, the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology, avocational dive groups, and site management organizations (such as English Heritage), has given me the opportunity in the past to work with numerous and varied groups interested in the preservation, interpretation, and dissemination of information regarding shipwreck sites. The energy and drive that I have for this work is in need of an outlet! Channeling this passion for shipwrecks and other maritime sites into concrete work on this side of the Atlantic has been a long-time goal of mine, which I believe could be an enormous asset for the ACUA/SHA.
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 venues and for a range of audiences. Accurate narrative in clear language is important to any publication, in any medium. This can be particularly important for most audiences, since many types of archaeological reporting aren’t always easily approachable for non-archaeologists. It is important to strike a balance between presenting technical results and writing/presenting for non-technical audiences when seeking innovative ways to engage with the wider public, another one of my key interests.

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 previously mentioned, my deep interest in outreach and engagement with the public—including divers, avocational archaeologists, and interested members of the public—would definitely 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 and interpretation of archaeological sites. Creating champions and protectors of underwater cultural heritage through active engagement and education would be of primary interest to me.
Of course, by its very nature, outreach and engagement with the various stakeholders interested in a site relies upon the physical preservation, documentation, and going management of these archaeological sites. My research into site formation processes and the varied approaches for ongoing site management of sites 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 their relevant committees in order to preserve maritime sites for future generations.
Lastly, my experience both in cultural resource management and textbook publishing has given me a solid experience in the challenges of timetables and budgets. All professional societies come with their own set of budgetary and administrative constraints, something learned during my time working on NAS committees. Understanding these constraints and working as a team member to produce the highest quality publications, outreach programs, and innovative means of public engagement would be a final priority.

Jennifer McKinnon, Ph.D.

Jennifer McKinnon

Present Position(s):
Associate Professor, East Carolina University, Program in Maritime Studies

Education:
Ph.D., Anthropology, Florida State UniversityM.A., Anthropology, Florida State University
B.A., Anthropology, University of Florida

Professional Service to SHA and Other Societies:
SHA: Public Education and Interpretation Committee, 2014–present and SHA UNESCO Committee, 2014–present; ACUA: Institutional Associate Member Representative for Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology, 2011–present; ACUA Committees: ACUA Job Market Survey, Development Committee, UNESCO Committee; AIMA: President, 2011–2013, Councilor, 2006–present; South Australia Heritage Council, 2011–2013

Research Interests:
Spanish colonial archaeology in Southeastern U.S. and Pacific; U.S. Life-Saving Service history and archaeology; conflict archaeology and WWII in the Pacific; landscape and seascape theoretical contributions; digital humanities in research, teaching, learning, and communication; Indigenous maritime cultural landscapes and seascapes; cultural heritage management, public outreach and interpretation, and heritage tourism

Biographical Statement:
For the past 20 years, I’ve been involved in both terrestrial and maritime archaeological work and research in both a management-based position at the Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research and in higher education at Flinders University (Australia) and now East Carolina University (U.S.). My experience in these positions as well as working in the U.S. and overseas has given me an appreciation for how wide-ranging our field of underwater archaeology and the management and preservation of underwater cultural heritage can be. I have held positions on advisory boards including the South Australia Heritage Council and elected positions including President of the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology. My Research Associate position with Ships of Exploration and Discovery, Inc. has provided me with an understanding of nonprofit research and grant writing.

Given your qualifications and experience, what do you believe you can contribute to the ACUA/SHA if elected?

I believe my experience in academia both in the U.S. and Australia is beneficial to ACUA as it brings a perspective that compliments the existing agency, nonprofit, museum, and consulting experience of the board. Additionally, my experience with nonprofit organizations and elected positions on heritage boards and organizations allows me to bring an understanding of multiple organizational structures to the board.

As an existing ACUA Institutional Associate Member Representative for the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology, I am serving on multiple ACUA committees including: the ACUA Job Market Survey, Development Committee, and UNESCO Committee. I would continue to serve in these roles on the committees. I’m particularly interested in the future of education in underwater archaeology and would endeavor to continue examining how we might better prepare our future generations of underwater archaeologists for the job market.
A second priority I have is activism in the protection of underwater cultural heritage and the legislation that protects it. As such, I would continue to and increase my involvement in campaigns to ensure this heritage is protected from the local to the global level, be it city ordinances or international conventions. I feel strongly that we should be engaging our political representatives and the general public on a regular basis, so that they understand the importance of protecting our shared underwater heritage.