University of British Columbia

Graduate Student, Anthropology

About

I view archaeology as a heuristic device - a mirror to reflect upon our own society - rather than accessing 'the past.'  As such, my interest lies in the social and political context of archaeology, including the impact of heritage research on people today, and the implications of archaeological philosophy in society more broadly. Specifically, I am concerned with public perceptions and representations of archaeology and cultural heritage; control over anthropological research and its products; and the role of archaeological heritage in constructing social identity.

My dissertation research involves ethnography and archaeology to produce a cultural landscape study of a contested public place. Based in Pacific Spirit Park in Vancouver, BC, I consider how 'heritage' of the park is constructed, communicated, and controlled by various affected communities; the role that such heritage plays in contemporary views of history; and the impact of the park's history and management in creating tensions between communities in colonial British Columbia today.

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