Celmara Pocock

Dr. Celmara Pocock is a Professor in Anthropology and Heritage Studies and Director of the Centre for Heritage and Culture at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. She is a prominent scholar in critical heritage studies with a focus on senses, aesthetics, museums, tourism, and World Heritage.

• University: University of Southern Queensland
• Department: Anthropology
• Position: Professor and Director of the Centre for Heritage and Culture

Her research interests span a wide range of topics including cultural heritage tourism, environmental anthropology, Australian Indigenous studies, decoloniality, and the anthropology of the senses. She critically examines how heritage is constructed, particularly in relation to World Heritage sites like the Great Barrier Reef and the Tasmanian Wilderness, often exploring the tension between imagined utopias and official heritage assessments.

Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on the future of heritage in the face of climate change, the role of visitor experiences in shaping heritage value, and the politics of representation in Indigenous histories. Her work frequently engages with themes of authenticity, hyperreality, and the management of natural heritage under threat.

She is actively involved in the international heritage community, having chaired the ACHS Communications subcommittee and participated in major conferences. Her research contributes significantly to understanding how heritage functions as a dynamic and often contested field in contemporary society.

• Scientific Awards: Not mentioned in the provided text.

Dr. Pocock has supervised or advised students in anthropology and heritage studies, though specific names are not listed. Her work is supported by ongoing research and institutional affiliations rather than specific grants mentioned in the text. She leads the Centre for Heritage and Culture, indicating a significant role in research leadership and team coordination.