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Claire Smith

Professor Claire Smith

  • Post Nominals: AO, FAHA, FSA
  • Fellow Type: Fellow
  • Elected to the Academy: 2019
  • Section(s): Archaeology

Biography

Claire Smith is Professor of Archaeology and former Dean (Research) at the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University. She is an anthropological archaeologist who specialises in the decolonisation of archaeological theory and method, Indigenous knowledge systems and epistemologies, and the analysis of symbolic communication.

Her book Indigenous Archaeologies broke new ground through the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives. Country, Kin and Culture: Survival of an Aboriginal Community was short-listed for the NSW Premier’s History Award. Her recent book, Global Social Archaeologies, co-authored by Koji Mizoguchi, outlines a new framework that places social justice, human rights and ethical globalisation at the centre of archaeological theory and practice.

In 2025, Professor Smith was awarded an AO for distinguished service to social and anthropological archaeology.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Australian Academy of the Humanities recognises Australia’s First Nations Peoples as the traditional owners and custodians of this land, and their continuous connection to country, community and culture.

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Acknowledgement of Country

The Australian Academy of the Humanities recognises Australia’s First Nations Peoples as the traditional owners and custodians of this land, and their continuous connection to country, community and culture.