Dr. Iain Mckechnie

Biography

Iain McKechnie is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Victoria. His research interests encompass coastal archaeology, historical ecology, and zooarchaeology, with a focus on the Northwest coast. McKechnie actively conducts research and teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses, emphasizing the importance of archaeological data in upholding Indigenous knowledge and marine conservation. He collaborates with various Indigenous Nations and organizations, such as Parks Canada and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. His peer-reviewed publications and emerging research have received coverage from local and international Indigenous news outlets. As the director of the Historical Ecology & Coastal Archaeology Lab, McKechnie oversees a group of graduate students and researchers who are engaged in topics related to heritage management and environmental policies, including climate change. He also directs the UVic Zooarchaeology Lab, which houses over 2,980 animal skeletons from 671 species, facilitating the osteological identification of animal bones from archaeological sites. Additionally, McKechnie holds affiliate scholar positions at the Hakai Institute, contributing to the organization of conferences related to archaeology and zoology.

Research Interests

Courses