ARC Laureate Fellow to delve into Pacific's deep past

Professor Matthew Spriggs from the ANU School of Archaeology and Anthropology has received $2.4 million in funding for his research investigating the hidden history of the Pacific. 

His project, The collective biography of archaeology in the Pacific: a hidden history, received funding from the Australian Laureate Fellowships announced today by Minister for Education the Hon Christopher Pyne MP.

Sixteen fellowships awarded across Australian universities shared a total of $42 million in funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC).

Dean of the College of Arts and Social Sciences Professor Toni Makkai congratulated Professor Spriggs.

“This is a wonderful outcome and very appropriate recognition of Matthew’s significant research profile and impact in his discipline,” she said.

The collective biography of archaeology in the Pacific: a hidden history, aims to establish the history of Pacific archaeology as a new sub-discipline within world archaeology, covering the period from the speculations of early explorers to the present.

Professor Spriggs said he was looking forward to working with a world-class team of early career researchers to delve into the deep past of the Pacific.

“This will be a fantastic boost to my research and new direction for it,” he said.

“I am looking forward to working with museums and other institutions worldwide to investigate archaeology’s own history in the Pacific, and particularly with Pacific Islands’ institutions.

“I also look forward to revealing a distinctly ‘Australian (and New Zealand) Story’ of the early contribution of scholars here to our knowledge of the region’s past.”

The project received strong support from Professor Margaret Harding Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), who said it matched the University’s goal to establish ANU as the world centre for the study of the history of Pacific, Southeast Asian and Australian archaeology.

Professor Spriggs’ national and international eminence is evident through his many professional affiliations, and in his 35 years of archaeological research including theory and methodology, Pacific and Southeast Asian archaeology, archaeological science, the relationship between archaeology and linguistics and the history of archaeology and anthropology.

Professor Spriggs has been at the College since 1997, and completed his PhD at ANU in 1981.

At the announcement of the fellowships in Adelaide, Minister Pyne highlighted the importance of the Fellowships as an investment in the nation’s future and ensuring that Australia competes successfully on the international research stage.

"The outcomes of these Fellowships will make a valuable contribution to Australia's knowledge base and prosperity. Fellows will also mentor our young researchers, which is vital if we are to continue to produce world-class research," he said.

Visit the ARC website for more information about the ARC Laureate Fellowships.