CACHE sponsoring the National Archaeology Student Conference 2021
CACHE is excited to be a sponsor of the upcoming National Archaeology Student Conference (NASC) 2021, taking place online on October 26–29. The conference is hosted this year by the Archaeology Society of Macquarie University (ASMU).
Since 1998, NASC has offered a supportive forum for undergraduates, postgraduates, and early career researchers from all Australian universities to share their work in archaeology and related fields. Following NASC 2019 at Flinders University, the conference was unable to take place last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the 2021 organising committee has brought back the event with renewed energy, using the optional theme of ‘resilience’ to speak to the challenges both students and archaeologists are now facing and overcoming.
The organising committee is formed of archaeology and ancient history students from Macquarie University, including Ginger-Rose Harrington, Ashlee Pasfield, Niamh Formosa, Edward Cooper, Mia Van Den Dolder, and also MQ alumnus Michael Fong now at the University of Sydney. The team are putting together an exciting and engaging program within the online space, which aims to not only nurture and showcase the research skills of students but also connect them with leading archaeological researchers and industry partners. “It’s no secret that in recent years we have been experiencing an enormous shift in Australian tertiary education,” says committee chairman Ginger-Rose, “For this reason, NASC 2021 will, unlike ever before, incorporate into its proceedings a full day archaeological and digital humanities symposium, independent online lecture series, and several informational seminars about the current state of our nation’s professional environment.”
CACHE is collaborating with NASC to host two CACHExNASC networking events during the conference and will also be sponsoring prizes for the best postgraduate presenters. CACHE Director Prof. Ronika Power has also been announced as one of the key speakers for the conference and will be presenting on her bioarchaeological work in Malta. Further keynotes will be delivered by Prof. Claire Smith from Flinders University regarding her archaeological work with Indigenous Australian Communities and Dr Chris Naunton, renowned Egyptologist and broadcaster. Prof. the Hon. Bob Carr will also join as patron of the event with a recorded panel interview discussing the role of history and archaeology in Australia’s future.
Co-sponsoring the conference with CACHE are Australia International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), Australasian Women in Ancient World Studies (AWAWS), Computer Applications & Quantitative Methods in Archaeology Australasia (CAA), Crozcare Geological Supplies, Extent Heritage Advisors, GML Heritage, and Prospectors Pty Ltd.
The conference promises to be a reinvigorating and community-building event for archaeology students across the country. “I am amazed by the diversity and complexity of the student work comprising this year’s proceedings”, says Ginger-Rose. “At the same time, I am proud of my team’s dedication to building a dynamic and intimate online environment for this event. As such, I look forward to reassembling our nation’s archaeological community after a year of relative disconnection”.
For more information, see the NASC 2021 website and follow their Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram profiles for the latest updates!
Top: Student members of the Archaeology Society of Macquarie University, who are hosting NASC 2021. Bottom: Prof. the Hon. Bob Carr being interviewed by NASC committee members Edward Cooper, Ginger-Rose Harrington, and Michael Fong, together with CACHE Director Prof. Ronika Power. The interview will be released as part of the conference program.