Dr. Stacey Ward

Biography

Stacey completed a B.A. (Hons) in Anthropology at the University of Otago, where she discovered her passion for bioarchaeology. After obtaining her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in 2019, she worked as a contract archaeologist in Australia and New Zealand, gaining bioarchaeological field experience in several countries including Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Israel, and Peru. Following her Ph.D. completion, Stacey was employed by the University of Otago to assist with the repatriation of Indigenous skeletal remains. She joined the Australian National University (ANU) as a lecturer in late 2020. Her research primarily focuses on life in ancient Southeast Asia, with ongoing projects investigating heavy metal exposure among early Bronze Age metallurgists in Thailand, characterizing cremation practices in historic Laos, and exploring the relationship between health and social inequality in Iron Age Thailand. Stacey is also dedicated to improving teaching and learning in bioarchaeology and convenes several courses, including Human Skeletal Analysis and Forensic Anthropology. In recognition of her contributions, she received the College of Arts and Social Sciences Award for Teaching Excellence in 2021 and the ANU Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence in 2022. Her service roles include convening the Biological Anthropology major and organizing the Biological Anthropology Seminar series.

Research Interests

Courses