I don't believe in recycling old solutions to answer new challenges. The study of both the past and the present is constantly changing and we need to change with it.  While we seek solutions for 21st century problems, we also need to uphold modern ethical standards. I have incorporated this philosophy in how I approach archaeology, the methodologies that I apply, and who I work "with and for."

Digital techniques have drastically changed archaeological approaches to landscape and culture. My approach to research questions fundamentally tailors new and emerging scientific methods to study anthropological questions. Some examples of these include: the search for unmarked graves in forensic/legal settings (i.e., former Indian Residential Schools), monitoring climate change and development impacts to cultural heritage, and investigating anthropological questions surrounding violence, erasure, and dispossession. I have developed minimally-invasive and multi-stage archaeological strategies to investigate each of these problems in a variety of contexts.

More importantly, I conduct my scientific research within community-driven and collaborative frameworks. My research is often driven by Indigenous Nations who have approached me with cultural heritage challenges. The scientific techniques we apply together do not seek to "validate" their history, but to amplify their voices and support them in finding the answers they seek. A key aspect of this research, I also train communities to undertake their own archaeological research and help them develop cost-effective and expedient solutions for site management, monitoring, and investigation. In other words, how do we maximize data generation while minimizing our impact and capacity costs? I have employed this research model to great success for almost ten years, and I am proud of the strong relationships I've made and maintain with many Indigenous Nations. I believe my personal archaeology to be one of service for communities and their stories.

Outside the Lab

I am originally from Ottawa, Canada but have been living in Western Canada since 2018 (although I continue to frequent Ontario and New Brunswick). I am an avid hockey fan, hiker/canoeist/camper, and pet lover. My dog (frequently featured on my social media) is named Penny, an australian shepherd X border collie. She likes camping too, but does not like the rain!