Teaching interests

My teaching interests include Australian Indigenous archaeology and cultural heritage management, particularly approaches that draw on community based methodologies.

In 2012 I am coordinating:

Semester 1:
ARCH2106^ Archaeological field methods
ARCH8016* Tenders in Archaeology
ARCH8018* Cultural Heritage Management
ARCH8801* Archaeological Field Methods Field School

Semester 2:
ARCH3205/8406*^ Issues in Indigenous Heritage Management
ARCH8018* Cultural Heritage Management
ARCH8016* Tenders in Archaeology
ARCH8807* Advanced Archaeology Field School

*  Graduate Topic
^  Undergraduate

Research interests

My principal research interest focuses upon questions surrounding the use of marine shellfish by Aboriginal people during the past 3,000 years at Weipa, western Cape York and this was the subject of my PhD. Through field survey and excavations my thesis considered the specific production strategies used by Aboriginal people, focusing upon issues including seasonality and scheduling, foraging strategies, resource specialisation, the organisation of production and the role of shell mounds as activity areas. My PhD abstract can be found here and my research into the character of coastal production strategies in the Weipa region is ongoing, and includes collaborations with Dr Justin Shiner. My PhD research was supported by the Thanakwhith people however current research is in partnership with Ndrua'angaith  people.

My second key research interest is the archaeology and oral history of cross-cultural engagements in the context of Presbyterian Missions established on western Cape York from the 1890s onwards. Most of this work is in partnership with the Anhatangaith and Alngith peoples (Weipa) on whose land these settlements were established. My research is investigating the character of Aboriginal production strategies and the ways that these influenced (and were influenced by) the establishment of the missions, particularly through changing ways that both Church and State engaged with Indigenous Australians in the late 19th and early 20th Century. This project involves collaborations with Dr Darlene McNaughton and Dr Justin Shiner

My third principal research interest relates to theoretical and methodological issues surrounding community based or community oriented cultural heritage management and archaeological research projects. This is principally being pursued through community based planning projects being undertaken with the Alngith People (Weipa) and the Muluridji People (Mareeba).

More frequently updated information about my research activities can be found at my personal blog.

Supervisory interests

• Contact archaeology
• Indigenous Australian archaeology
• Indigenous cultural heritage
• Indigenous environmental management

A central element of my research philosophy is that ethical and socially valuable results can only be generated in the context of projects that draw inspiration, motivation and purpose from community priorities and concerns. The ability to carry out research is a privilege and as researchers we should actively seek to address questions and further knowledge in areas that can contribute to the needs and aspirations of communities or specific interest groups.

Most of my research focuses upon the western Cape York Peninsula region, particularly around the townships of Napranum and Weipa where I've worked since 2000. I exclusively work on questions relating to Aboriginal history,  particularly those that have relevance to understanding the emergence of contemporary disadvantage and injustice that people in that region experience.

I am involved in a wide range of projects many of which have community questions at their heart and that relate to local land management, heritage planning and archaeological research.

Read my full research profile here.