In this episode, Dr. Laura Heath-Stout (Rice University) talks about her research looking at sexism, racism and heterosexism in archaeology. This is a big topic of discussion that has gotten more attention in recent years among those in the field and many archaeologists are now thinking about what effects systemic biases in the field have on how we derive information about the past.

How did Laura go about measuring the problem of equity (or inequity) in archaeological publishing and knowledge production? What are some examples of how sexism, racism and heterosexism limit or misguide our understandings of human societies in the past? What is intersectionality theory and how do intersecting institutions of oppression produce compounding and interactive negative effects on scholars in the field? And though advocating and putting measures into place to tackle these issues can be an arduous process, why are Laura and Michael hopeful that the field can do better in terms of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice?

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Show notes

To follow more of Laura’s work or ask her any questions, you can find her on Twitter. She also has a website where you can read a lot more about her research.

You can find Michael on Twitter and Instagram too.

The Arch and Anth Podcast is on Twitter and Instagram, and it has a Facebook page.

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