Dr. Duncan Wright

Biography

Duncan Wright is an Associate Professor at the Australian National University's School of Archaeology and Anthropology. His research adopts a partnership approach, collaborating with Indigenous communities to seek present-day cultural and economic benefits derived from archaeological methods. Currently, his projects include ARC-funded research tracing the wandering pathways of Culture Heroes in Torres Strait and assessing initiation grounds on Mabuiag Murray Islands. He is also involved in a collaborative project examining the damage to important sites in the Blue Mountains caused by the 2020 bushfires, working with Traditional Custodians and academics to map and conserve threatened heritage affected by fire. Additionally, he leads a long-term project in the Czech Republic and Slovakia exploring the arrival of Homo sapiens in Europe and the subsequent replacement of the resident Neanderthal communities, with cave excavations providing valuable insights into the hidden histories of European ancestors. Duncan's academic history includes previous research positions at Griffith and Monash Universities, and he completed his PhD at Monash University in 2010, focusing on the archaeological historicization of ethnographically significant villages in the western Torres Strait.

Research Interests

Experience