I am Professor of Indigenous Archae

I am Professor of Indigenous Archaeology in the School of Geography and Environmental Science, Monash University, Melbourne. I specialise in the archaeology of Australian Indigenous coastal societies, in particular the Queensland coast and the islands of Torres Strait.

My research focuses on understanding the long-term development of specialized maritime societies with a focus on the archaeology of seascapes and ritual and spiritual relationships with the sea. Recently I commenced research along the southern coast of New Guinea, investigating ancient cultural connections with Torres Strait and northern Australia.Other research interests include the development of Aboriginal eel aquaculture in western Victoria, the long-term development of Jawoyn rock art (Arnhem Land) and the colonial history of archaeology.

In 2007-2009, I was President of the Australian Archaeological Association Inc. and in 2007 I was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries London. In addition to over 120 refereed papers and book chapters, my co-authored/edited books include Constructions of Colonialism: Perspectives on Eliza Fraser’s Shipwreck (1998), Australian Coastal Archaeology (1999), Torres Strait: Archaeology & Material Culture (2004), Appropriated Pasts: Indigenous Peoples and the Colonial Culture of Archaeology (2005), and The Social Archaeology of Indigenous Societies (2006).