AS A HUMAN
There's no doubt about it-- I am an anthropologist.
I grew up around archaeologists, anthropologists, and other scholars at the University of Chicago, Field Museum, and Museum of Science and Industry.
I knew in high school that I wanted to be an archaeologist and curator.
I believe "the epic sweep of humanity is indeed mighty cool to behold."
Laughter is the greatest cross-cultural medicine that can be used to break down the barriers that keep us apart.
I live in Denver, Colorado, with my wife and three sons. You can find baseball fields all over the state and region!
I grew up around archaeologists, anthropologists, and other scholars at the University of Chicago, Field Museum, and Museum of Science and Industry.
I knew in high school that I wanted to be an archaeologist and curator.
I believe "the epic sweep of humanity is indeed mighty cool to behold."
Laughter is the greatest cross-cultural medicine that can be used to break down the barriers that keep us apart.
I live in Denver, Colorado, with my wife and three sons. You can find baseball fields all over the state and region!
AS A SCIENTIST
As a museum-based archaeologist and curator, I'm living my dream job. I'm a kid in a candy store! Museum collections are a treasure trove of insights into the human experience and provide a wealth of opportunities for continuing education and scholarship. Currently, I study the ancient Mogollon culture of southwestern New Mexico, I am executive director of a documentary film about Russian sculptor Vasily Konovalenko and his enchanted gem carvings, and I am co-authoring a book about Indian Peace Medals. And I still haven't abandoned my first love in Southwestern archaeology-- the use of tree-ring dating to date archaeological sites in Mesa Verde National Park and elsewhere in the North American Southwest.
AS AN AGENT FOR CHANGE
The practice of anthropology, archaeology, and museums in North America has not been inclusive of underrepresented populations. Progress has been made over the last couple of decades, but it hasn't come fast enough for my tastes. My work at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, in conjunction with several smart and talented colleagues, puts restorative justice at the front of our justice, diversity, equity, access, and inclusion efforts and our broader work to de-colonize the Museum. Our award-winning Native American Sciences Initiative provides scholarships, internships, and fellowships to indigenous folks from all over North America. We have played a proactive leadership role with respect to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, and no longer curate human remains. And we have conducted important international repatriations, most notably of memorial grave statues called vigango, to the Mijikenda people of coastal Kenya. Given that I believe the purpose of anthropology is really to make the world safe for human differences, I will continue these efforts to decolonize museums for the rest of my career.
Download my CV Here
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