Supporting the Next Generation of Archaeologists

Supporting the Next Generation of Archaeologists 

Heritage Now is proud to be a donor to the AACAI Student Support Fund, an initiative that plays an important role in nurturing the next generation of consulting archaeologists. 

The Fund was established in 2010 by the Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc. (AACAI) to provide financial assistance to Honours and Masters students undertaking research that benefits consulting archaeology. These grants may be modest in size, but they make a significant difference. They can be used flexibly — whether for travel, fieldwork, laboratory analysis, or simply easing the financial pressures that come with postgraduate study — so students can focus on producing high-quality research with practical outcomes. 

Since its inception, the Fund has distributed more than $68,000 to 37 recipients, helping students explore a wide range of topics such as artefact analysis, rock art recording, Indigenous heritage management, and the effectiveness of heritage legislation. The aim is always the same: to bridge academic research with consulting practice, ensuring that new ideas and evidence-based approaches enrich professional heritage management. 

2025 Recipients Announced 

This year, four students to support their projects: 

• Jonathan Bennett, University of Sydney – Use-wear analysis of Holocene backed and non-backed retouched artefacts from south-eastern Australia. 

• Kayla Turner, James Cook University – Approaching artefact biographies from Jiigurru–Lizard Island Group, Northern Great Barrier Reef. 

• Joseph Roth, University of Queensland – Ripples of Parramatta’s Agrarian Past: conserving the archaeology of colonial agriculture. 

• Sayed Nezam, University of Western Australia – Sacred or Mythological: A critical analysis of Indigenous sacred heritage management in Western Australia. 

These projects highlight the breadth of research that the Fund supports — from microscopic analysis of stone tools, to documenting connections between artefacts and place, to understanding how archaeologists engage with agricultural landscapes and Indigenous sacred sites. Each has direct relevance to consulting archaeology and the way we protect and interpret heritage in Australia today. 

Why Heritage Now Supports the Fund 

At Heritage Now, we believe strongly in giving back to the profession. As consulting archaeologists, we know how important it is to encourage and support students who are developing the skills, knowledge, and perspectives that will shape the future of our industry. 

By contributing to the AACAI Student Support Fund, we: 

• Invest in the next generation of consulting archaeologists. 

• Strengthen professional practice by backing research that has practical applications. 

• Support cultural heritage outcomes, ensuring Australia’s diverse past is valued and protected. 

We are proud to stand alongside other donors in making this Fund possible. It is a shared investment in the health and future of consulting archaeology. 

Looking Ahead 

The AACAI Student Support Fund continues to grow in impact each year, thanks to the combined efforts of donors, AACAI, and the students themselves. We look forward to seeing the research outcomes from this year’s recipients — work that will not only advance their academic careers but also enrich consulting practice across the sector.