Barbara L. Voss

Dr. Barbara L. Voss is a Professor of Anthropology at Stanford University with affiliations across multiple interdisciplinary centers including the Stanford Archaeology Center, Center for Comparative Studies of Race and Ethnicity, and Programs in Asian American Studies, Urban Studies, and Gender and Sexuality Studies. Her research focuses on the archaeology of diaspora communities, colonialism, and the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality in historical contexts.

Her work emphasizes transnational perspectives, particularly regarding Chinese immigrant communities in North America and colonial encounters in Spanish America. Notable projects include the Market Street Chinatown Archaeology Project and the Chinese Railroad Workers in North America Project, which combine material culture analysis with community collaboration. Voss is also a leading voice in addressing systemic issues in archaeology, such as harassment and ethical practice reforms through trauma-informed approaches.

Her publications span over two decades, analyzing topics like ethnogenesis processes, domestic artifact use, and the material legacies of marginalized groups. She has pioneered methodologies for reconstructing historical narratives through fragmented archaeological records and advocates for inclusive, community-engaged research practices.