What might an equitable research future look like for Central Asian studies?- Dr Rebecca Roberts (Steppe Sisters Annual Lecture)

Dr. Rebecca Roberts is a research associate at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research and the Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, where she currently manages the Mapping Heritage in South Asia (MAHSA) project. She also served as curator for the acclaimed "Gold of the Great Steppe" exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum, which ran from September 2021 to January 2022.

Rebecca completed her PhD research focusing on the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages in the Semirech'ye region of Kazakhstan, where she examined the complex relationships between climate change, subsistence strategies, and land use patterns through innovative phytolith and faecal spherulite analysis. Her research interests extend beyond environmental archaeology to encompass the political dimensions of archaeological practice, particularly investigating how archaeology is utilized in modern nation-building processes within post-Soviet states and broader cultural heritage management issues.

Her professional experience spans multiple international contexts and institutions. She has held positions as Post Excavation Officer at Birmingham Archaeology, University of Birmingham, and worked with the Laboratory of Geoarchaeology in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Roberts also contributed to the ERC ADaPt project in Cambridge, where she developed expertise in archaeological project management and the creation of cultural heritage databases.

Through her diverse academic and professional background, Roberts has established herself as a specialist in Central Asian archaeology while maintaining active engagement with contemporary heritage challenges across South and Central Asia.

The event is open to anyone and will take place in the Audit Room, King's College and will be followed by a wine reception. Registration is not necessary to attend in person, please register on Zoom to attend online.