Equity and Knowledge Production in Archaeology

Using quantitative and qualitative methods, I explore the ways that the identities and experiences of archaeologists affect the knowledge that they produce about the human past. I examine how systemic racism, sexism, cissexism, heterosexism, classism, and ableism shape the demographics and practices of archaeology as a discipline. An important part of this research has been generating actionable suggestions for archaeologists of all identities and professional positions to improve the diversity and equity of our discipline.

Identity, Oppression, and Diversity in Archaeology

Book

Heath-Stout, Laura E. 2024. ​Identity, Oppression, and Diversity in Archaeology: Career Arcs. Archaeology of Gender and Sexuality Series, edited by Pamela Geller, Routledge. 

Articles

Heath-Stout, Laura E. 2024. “Fostering an Ethical and Inclusive Community on Archaeological Excavation Projects.” In Ethics in Archaeological Practice, edited by Sarah Kielt Costello and Sarah Lepinski, 17–28. Annual of the American School of Overseas Research 78. Alexandria, VA: American School of Overseas Research.
Heath-Stout, Laura E. 2023. "The Invisibly Disabled Archaeologist." International Journal of Historical Archaeology ​27: 17–32. 
Heath-Stout, Laura E. 2020. "Who Writes About Archaeology? An Intersectional Study of Authorship in Archaeological Journals." American Antiquity 85(3): 407–426.
Heath-Stout, Laura E., and Elizabeth M. Hannigan. 2020. "Affording Archaeology: How the Cost of Field School Keeps Archaeology Exclusive." Advances in Archaeological Practice 8(2): 123–133.

Dissertation

Heath-Stout, Laura E. 2019. "Diversity, Identity, and Oppression in the Production of Archaeological Knowledge." Ph.D. Dissertation, Boston University.

Funding Equity Project

Heath-Stout, Laura E. 2024. "An Investigation of the Demographics and Processes of Research Funding in ​U.S. Academic Anthropology." Project commissioned by the Wenner-Gren Foundation and Social Sciences Research Council.

The Socio-Politics of Knowledge Production in Anthropology & Archaeology

Wenner-Gren Workshop co-organized with Jess Beck, Fall 2023

Other Journal Articles

Heath-Stout, Laura E., Grace Erny, and Dimitri Nakassis. 2023. “Demographic Dynamics of Publishing in the American Journal of Archaeology.” American Journal of Archaeology 127(2): 151–165.
Heath-Stout, Laura E., and Catherine L. Jalbert. 2023. "Funding in the 'Field': An Analysis of Demographics and Methods in National Science Foundation Archaeology Grants (1955–2020)." Journal of Field Archaeology 48(2): 102–112.
Camp, Stacey L., Laura Heath-Stout, Kimberley Wooten, Jodi A. Barnes, Sarah Surface-Evans, Zada Komara, and Alyssa R. Scott. 2023. "Reflections on Writing About Health and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic." International Journal of Historical Archaeology 27: 234–240.
Jalbert, Catherine L., and Laura E. Heath-Stout. 2023. "The Texas Archeological Society: An Analysis of Current Demographics and Diachronic BTAS Authorship." Bulletin of the Texas Archeological Society 92: 213–233.

Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications

Heath-Stout, Laura E., Katherine M. Kinkopf, and Laurie A. Wilkie. 2022. “Confronting Ableism in Archaeology with Disability Expertise.” SAA Archaeological Record 22(4): 13–17.
Heath-Stout, Laura E. 2021. “Building a Community of Archaeologists with Disabilities.” The Society for Historical Archaeology Newsletter 54(1):17.
Heath-Stout, Laura E. 2020. "Editorial Introduction: Gender, Equity, and the Peer Review Process at the Journal of Field Archaeology." J​​ournal of Field Archaeology 45(3): 135–139.
Hays-Gilpin, Kelley, Meagan Thies-Sauder, Catherine Jalbert, Laura Heath-Stout, and Heather Thakar. 2019. “Changing Our Professional Culture of Apathy and Creating Safety in Archaeology: Progress Report from the SAA Task Force on Sexual and Anti-Harassment Policies and Procedures.” SAA Archaeological Record 19(4):9–11.
Heath-Stout, Laura E. 2019. "Building a Diverse and Inclusive Archaeology."  Anthropology News.
Heath-Stout, Laura E. 2018. "Building a More Inclusive Introductory Archaeology Course." Queer Archaeology.