Keynote Speakers
Dr Malcolm Connolly
Dr Malcolm Connolly is an Australian Indigenous geoarchaeologist and Kullilli and Muruwari man. He completed his BA (Hons) and MPhil at the Aboriginal Environments Research Centre, University of Queensland, before undertaking a PhD at Darwin College, University of Cambridge, where he held both Charlie Perkins and Chevening scholarships. His doctoral research examined palaeoenvironmental and site formation patterns using optically stimulated luminescence dating and soil micromorphology to investigate cultural landscape change over millennia. He has held senior roles including Senior Heritage Officer with the Heritage Branch of the Northern Territory Government, and is currently Senior Research Consultant in Indigenous Science with CSIRO and Senior Adjunct in the School of Social Science at the University of Queensland. He serves on the Australia ICOMOS Indigenous Heritage Working Group. His research spans micro-archaeology, arid-zone archaeology, cultural heritage management, freshwater governance, and Indigenous Science.
Dr Delyna Baxter
Dr Delyna Baxter is a cultural heritage specialist, with training in anthropology and archaeology. With over 20 years' expertise in Aboriginal engagement, cultural values mapping, and heritage management, she has worked across government, infrastructure, mining, energy, transport, and cultural institutions. She has led cultural values mapping projects with Traditional Owner groups, curated national exhibitions, and delivered heritage strategies for major organisations, and is recognised for her ability to build trust with Aboriginal communities and design inclusive research methodologies. She is also a documentary maker with a focus on Central Australia and is affiliated with Charles Darwin University's Northern Institute.
Shaped by the Discipline: Navigating Careers in Australian Archaeology and Heritage Practice
Thursday 01 October 9:00 - 10:00 AM
At the heart of this keynote is a single question: How are we shaped by our discipline? Australian archaeology is not a discipline you simply enter; it is one that shapes you. We reflect on our own career trajectories to explore how the discipline, its legislation, its communities, and its people have collectively shaped the practitioners we have become.
By drawing on her experience working across archaeology and anthropology, Delyna examines what it means to define yourself as a heritage practitioner in a changing discipline. She traces her path through archaeology, ethnography and cultural values assessment, Delyna reflects on why remaining current with legislative change and disciplinary developments is not merely professional obligation but a form of professional survival and self-determination in the discipline.
Malcolm explores how career pathways in Australian archaeology are rarely linear. From undergraduate aspirations through industry practice and ultimately an Indigenous archaeologist, he reflects on how training, opportunity, mentorship, legislation, and remaining strongly aligned with your Aboriginal identity have guided his work in cultural heritage management and Indigenous science.
Together, we address the structural realities facing emerging archaeologists: the divergence between industry and academic pathways, the complexity of heritage legislation across Australian states and territories, the centrality of Aboriginal community engagement, and the ethical frameworks that govern research and practice.
We invite student archaeologists to see their careers not as paths they choose, but as ones they are shaped by, and to embrace that process with intention.
Dr Bryce Barker
Bryce Barker is a Professor in Archaeology at the University of Southern Queensland. After completing his PhD from the University of Queensland on the ‘Pre-history’ of the Whitsunday Islands he was subsequently employed at UniSQ in their fledgling anthropology/archaeology program. Professor Barker has authored or co-authored over 100 scholarly publications, including journal articles, books, book chapters and research reports, with research spanning Australian Indigenous archaeology, coastal archaeology, Papua New Guinea archaeology, Native Title and cultural heritage management. Current or recent ARC funded projects include the Archaeology of the Queensland Native Mounted Police, the Agayrr Bamangay Milbi rock art and cultural heritage management project and Pathways Through Sahul: the archaeology of the Great Papuan Plateau.
From the Field to the Future: Reflections on an Archaeological Career
Friday 02 October 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Archaeology is often portrayed as a profession of spectacular discoveries and adventure, but the reality is far more complex. This presentation reflects on a career spanning four decades of archaeological research, teaching, heritage management and Indigenous engagement across Australia and Papua New Guinea. From remote excavations in Cape York, Torres Strait and Papua New Guinea, to the challenges of Native Title and cultural heritage practice, the journey has been marked by moments of excitement, frustration, failure and unexpected success.
Through a series of personal stories, this talk explores the highs of discovery, the lows of setbacks and disappointments, and the occasional moments of euphoria that make the profession so rewarding. Along the way, archaeology has revealed not only new insights into the past, but also important lessons about resilience, collaboration, curiosity and the enduring connections between people, place and history.
This presentation is a reflection on what archaeology teaches us about ourselves, the communities we work with, and the privilege of helping to uncover and share the stories of those who came before us.
Hosted by
