What is your background and what brought you to Macquarie?

My background is in archaeology and history. My PhD was focussed on examining Iron Age warfare in Britain. I went on to a postdoctoral fellowship on a project that cut across time to examine memorialisation and commemorative practice from the Neolithic to today. This led me to walk in the worlds of archaeology and modern history. I wanted to find a way to reconcile these two sides of my research and that led me to the Gale History Museum where we have a collection that includes antiquities alongside objects from the 19th and 20th centuries.

How did you originally become interested in your area of research, and what keeps you interested in it?

I was always interested in history and archaeology. As a child I roped in all my siblings to run an archaeological ‘dig’ in the backyard. We didn’t find anything, and one of my brothers ended up with a geology pick through his hand (he still has a scar)! Not having found anything in my own backyard, I widened my search and developed a fascination with ancient warfare. Over time I became tragically obsessed with spears, an underappreciated class of weapon that was ubiquitous in the ancient world. My interest in warfare easily translated to study the commemoration of the two World Wars and how we choose to remember the past and incorporate those memories into larger narratives about ourselves and our place in the world.

The Gale History Museum’s collection houses over 18,000 objects. There’s at least one story for every object, and there are so many perspectives that can be considered that there really is no end to the explorations of the collection. Every day I am seeing something in the collection in a new light. It is endlessly fascinating.

Tell us a bit about your current work and what makes it so important?

My role in the museum is really more about supporting others with their research, and making the collection accessible to staff, students and the general public.

I work with academics in various departments and look for ways to help bring their research to the public.

Much of what I am engaged in now is exploring pedagogical approaches to object-based learning. Museum collections have such rich potential to enhance learning across many disciplines, far beyond the narrow focus of history and archaeology that most people might think of.

Is there something you would like students/staff to know about?

The Gale History Museum is for everyone. It is a cultural institution on campus that allows students and staff to step away from their every day and see something old in a new way. It’s also a lovely space, with a really calming vibe.

We have regular exhibitions and host a range of events. For our most recent exhibition, Communities of Care, we hosted Meditation in the Museum and a Death Café.

We are currently planning our Halloween event, which is our biggest event of the year. This year we are teaming up with Creative Writing, Film Production and Games Development to explore why ancient objects offer such rich inspiration for the horror genre. It’s a free event, and we hope to see everyone there. Last year’s event was amazing, and we aim to host a fun and spooky event again this year. You can register for the event here.

What is something you have recently accomplished?

Survive cancer. I received a very unexpected diagnosis earlier this year that required a major surgery. I was incredibly lucky – my cancer was caught early and had not spread. It was found totally by chance during a routine check. I encourage everyone to always do their checks and screening tests. It genuinely could save your life.

What do you need to do your best work?

We have a small but mighty team in the museum. It’s amazing working together on projects. We build on each other’s ideas. I might put something forward thinking it’s good, but my colleagues will help to turn it into something more amazing than I could have imagined.

What do people always ask you when they find out what you do for a living/what you study?
People are always excited about archaeology and museums. They generally ask what was the coolest thing I ever found.

What is your definition of success?

Breathing in and out repeatedly.

A bit about where you live and what you like about it?

I was born, raised and have returned to living on Dharug land. It is beautiful Country and I have an incredible view out my back window. While I was living abroad, I missed the songs of Magpies and Kookaburras.

A personal quality you value in others?

A capacity not to take yourself too seriously. Life is too short.

What would people be surprised to know about you or your work?

Most people don’t know that I served in the Army Reserve when I was younger. You honestly would never guess!

What is on your agenda for the rest of 2025?

Get to the end of it! Seriously, Halloween event planning is a priority at the moment, and we are working on installing a new exhibition, Signs, Symbols Ciphers: Decoding Communication.

I’m also working on developing some new school programs that I hope to begin rolling out in 2026.