News & Events

48 students from the RMSEL School in Denver came to CU �鶹ӰԺ Anthropology

Renee Kuban — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:10:56 +0000

48 students from the RMSEL School in Denver came to CU �鶹ӰԺ Anthropology Renee Kuban Thu, 03/05/2026 - 11:10

Forty-eight students from the Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning (RMSEL) in Denver came to �鶹ӰԺ for a Maya Archaeology Learning Experience. Students learned how archaeologists collect data in the field, analyze the data, and interpret it to learn about ancient Maya peoples. Activities included four "archaeology stations". At the archaeology table station, students learned to excavate and screen for artifacts such as ceramic sherds and plant foods like corn and beans. At the artifact analysis station, students learned how to analyze artifacts once they're excavated by photographing artifacts, weighing them with a scale, and measuring artifacts with calipers. Students then learned how archaeologists interpret artifacts by drawing and describing figurines and other artifacts at the interpretation station. Lastly, students at the everyday Maya life station learned how ancient Maya peoples used grinding stones to process food, and played games to learn the Yucatec Mayan names of local animals in the Maya area. Huge thanks to graduate students Sasha Buckser, Cristian Figueroa, Gabi Perry, and Nicholas Puente for helping!

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Sarah Kurnick and Sam Fladd Guest-Edit New Issue of Advances in Archaeological Practice

Renee Kuban — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:06:12 +0000

Sarah Kurnick and Sam Fladd Guest-Edit New Issue of Advances in Archaeological Practice Renee Kuban Thu, 03/05/2026 - 10:06

Professors Sarah Kurnick and Sam Fladd have released a guest-edited themed issue of Advances in Archaeological Practice: "Beyond Leaky Pipelines: Exploring Intersectional Gender Inequalities in Archaeological Practice."

This issue challenges the "leaky pipeline" metaphor, arguing instead that exclusion is an active, structural process. By focusing on visibility and citation, the authors offer data-driven recommendations to build a more inclusive discipline.

The project represents years of collaborative work and features significant contributions from graduate students Sasha Buckser, Kelsey Hoppes, Gabi Perry, and Sarah Simeonoff. We encourage the department community to read and share this impactful research.

Read the issue

Beyond Leaky Pipelines: Exploring Intersectional Gender Inequalities in Archaeological Practice

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Sasha Buckser Co-Authors and Illustrates Article in Advances in Archaeological Practice

Renee Kuban — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:45:12 +0000

Sasha Buckser Co-Authors and Illustrates Article in Advances in Archaeological Practice Renee Kuban Thu, 03/05/2026 - 09:45

Sasha Buckser (Archaeology, PhD Candidate) served as both a co-author and illustrator for a new study advancing feminist recommendations for structural change in archaeology. The research proposes moving beyond "leaky pipeline" metaphors toward sustainable "watering can" models to better support diverse participation in the field.

Abstract
Despite improvement over the past few decades, particularly for white, cisgender women, intersectional gender-based inequality remains prominent within anthropological archaeology and beyond. Building on critiques of the leaky pipeline metaphor laid out in the introduction to this themed issue, and drawing on Black, Indigenous, and Posthumanist Feminisms, we advocate for a metaphorical shift focused on care, inclusivity, and diversity—that of a garden. The garden metaphor provides a way to express and explore the complex and intertwined ways disciplinary norms, institutions, and individuals structure and shape experiences in archaeology. After reviewing the garden metaphor and summarizing previous suggestions for improving equity in archaeology, we present recommendations for actionable steps at disciplinary, institutional, supervisory, and individual levels. Drawing on insights from the articles in the issue, as well as existing literature within and beyond archaeology, we argue that a greater emphasis on care, and its integration into the value structure of archaeology, would create a more inclusive discipline.

Read the full article Advances in Archaeological Practice

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Sarah Simeonoff Co-Authors Article in Advances in Archaeological Practice

Renee Kuban — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:38:32 +0000

Sarah Simeonoff Co-Authors Article in Advances in Archaeological Practice Renee Kuban Thu, 03/05/2026 - 09:38

Sarah Simeonoff (Archaeology, PhD Candidate) has co-authored a new study examining gender inclusion and representation at the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) annual meetings. The research reveals how underrepresentation in prestigious roles impacts visibility and professional capital for women and marginalized scholars.

Abstract
Academic and professional conferences provide opportunities for the dissemination of knowledge, networking, and professional development. Those in more prestigious roles often gain greater visibility, and invited roles in particular make important statements about whose research the profession values most. Conference participation is therefore a source of economic, social, and cultural capital that translates into real opportunities and future career success. In this article, we examine gender representation in the field of archaeology through the lens of participation in the annual meetings of the Society for American Archaeology (SAA). Using archived SAA annual meeting programs from 2002 to 2024, we analyze differences in gender representation across conference roles and participation formats. We find that although women and men are similarly likely to fill self-selected leadership roles, women are less frequently asked to fill invited roles by their peers, particularly when men serve as organizers. We thus argue that gender plays a strong role in determining who occupies positions of prestige and that decisions about who is “qualified” affect distributions of capital within the discipline. We conclude by recommending a series of interventions to session organizers, session participants, and the SAA to help redress gender-based differences in conference participation.

Read the full article Advances in Archaeological Practice

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Kelsey Hoppes Co-Authors Article in Advances in Archaeological Practice

Renee Kuban — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:22:33 +0000

Kelsey Hoppes Co-Authors Article in Advances in Archaeological Practice Renee Kuban Thu, 03/05/2026 - 09:22

Kelsey Hoppes (Archaeology, PhD Candidate) has co-authored a new study in Advances in Archaeological Practice titled "The Names We Know." The research examines the complexities of coauthorship and gender in archaeology journals, offering a critical look at how professional credit is distributed across the discipline.

Abstract
Authorship metrics are a key component of academic advancement. Given recent increases in the publication of collaborative, multiauthored articles, we examine patterns in the perceived gender of authors of peer-reviewed journal articles with five or more coauthors in 11 academic archaeology journals. Our results suggest consistent patterns in lead and last authors and in coauthors. Men are more likely to serve as both lead and last authors and to include far more men than women as coauthors on their publications. We consider the ways gender homophily, friendship networks, and other forms of often unintentional exclusion may have a negative impact on the careers of women and members of other marginalized communities in archaeology and propose recommendations to address these issues within the field. In addition to greater individual reflexivity around coauthorship decisions, we encourage the development of clear guidelines on author ascription by archaeological organizations and publishing outlets and advocate that institutions adopt both total publication and fractional publication counts as measures of individual productivity.

Read the full article Advances in Archaeological Practice

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Sarah Simeonoff and Gabi Perry Co-Author Article in Advances in Archaeological Practice

Renee Kuban — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:49:28 +0000

Sarah Simeonoff and Gabi Perry Co-Author Article in Advances in Archaeological Practice Renee Kuban Thu, 03/05/2026 - 07:49

Sarah Simeonoff and Gabi Perry (Archaeology, PhD Candidates) have co-authored a new study titled "Tough Enough: Preliminary Survey Results on Field Experiences in Archaeology." The Society for American Archaeology (Advances in Archaeological Practice) has designated the article as their Paper of the Month.

Abstract
This article examines field experiences across archaeological sectors and demographics through the results of a survey aimed at understanding how the culture of toughness is manifest in archaeological fieldwork through the prevalence of discrimination and pressure to accept inappropriate behaviors and to push oneself physically, mentally, and emotionally. We selected these particular behaviors as they demonstrate ways in which archaeologists perceive expectations and how individuals prove they can endure, that they are tough enough. Our survey data demonstrate that women, noncisgendered, and entry-level archaeologists are the most vulnerable to negative experiences, that the pressure to push beyond one’s limits is universal, and that discrimination and harassment are factors increasingly considered by women as they decide whether to continue in the profession. We argue that many of these rules and social conditions are created and maintained inconspicuously through performative informality which is linked to the discipline’s culture of toughness. Through analysis of our quantitative survey results, we discuss how archaeology’s work culture shapes experiences in the industry and examine avenues for reform to promote equity in archaeology.

Read the article Advances in Archaeological Practice

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Graduate Student Research Grant Awardees

Renee Kuban — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:19:48 +0000

Graduate Student Research Grant Awardees Renee Kuban Wed, 03/04/2026 - 11:19

Congratulations to graduate students, Kelsey Armeni, Lina Cahill, Nicholas Imo, Alex Leigh, and Gabrielle Perry on receiving the Graduate Student Research Grant.

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Graduate Students Kelsey Armeni, Yuxiang Lin, and Jessica Misiorek Receive CARTTS Awards

Renee Kuban — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 21:45:44 +0000

Graduate Students Kelsey Armeni, Yuxiang Lin, and Jessica Misiorek Receive CARTTS Awards Renee Kuban Tue, 03/03/2026 - 14:45

Congratulations to graduate students Kelsey, Yuxiang, and Jessica on their CARTSS research awards!

Kelsey Armeni: Mapping the Colorado psychedelic project and natural medicines.
Yuxiang Lin: Building inclusive Nepali voice interfaces and tech futures.
Jessica Misiorek: Investigating nationalisms and the anthropology of foreignness.

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William Taylor Will Deliver This Year's Harding Distinguished Lecture

Renee Kuban — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 22:31:28 +0000

William Taylor Will Deliver This Year's Harding Distinguished Lecture Renee Kuban Tue, 02/17/2026 - 15:31

Archeologist and author William Taylor will present “Horses and the Human Story in South Dakota and the American West: New Perspectives from the Ancient World.”

The lecture is March 26 at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center at South Dakota State University. The two-hour event begins at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Tickets are limited, so click here to reserve your seat in advance.

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Michelle Sauther's Bushbaby Research Featured in CU �鶹ӰԺ Today

Renee Kuban — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 20:24:43 +0000

Michelle Sauther's Bushbaby Research Featured in CU �鶹ӰԺ Today Renee Kuban Mon, 02/16/2026 - 13:24

For over 10 years, Professor Michelle Sauther and her team at CU �鶹ӰԺ have been studying the thick-tailed bushbabies of South Africa. Their latest findings have led to a vital reclassification: these primates are now officially "Near Threatened."

This work, featured today in CU �鶹ӰԺ Today, highlights the importance of protecting wildlife habitats as they shrink by nearly 4% every decade.

Read the article: CU �鶹ӰԺ Today

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