James H. Barrett

James H. Barrett is a Professor of Medieval and Environmental Archaeology at the Department of Archaeology and Cultural History, NTNU University Museum. His research focuses on ecological globalization, particularly the trade of marine resources like fish, furs, and ivory, and the socio-economic consequences of resource exploitation. He combines archaeological science with historical analysis, emphasizing the integration of zooarchaeology and ancient DNA techniques.

Barrett has held positions at the University of Toronto (1996-1998), the University of York (1999-2007), and the University of Cambridge (2007-2021), where he remains a Senior Research Fellow at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research. His current work includes leadership roles in the ERC Synergy Project 4-OCEANS, exploring global historical ecology through marine taxa analysis, and the Northern Seas Synthesis project analyzing fish bone records.

His research interests span historical ecology, with a focus on the interface between nature and culture. He investigates topics such as medieval cod trade networks, walrus ivory trade dynamics, and the environmental impacts of resource depletion. Key collaborations include the Demise of the Atlantic Grey Whale project and the SeaChanges Innovative Training Network.

Barrett's publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, blending archaeology with genetics, climatology, and environmental science. His work on the Holocene deglaciation's impact on Arctic fauna and the preservation of ancient DNA in fish bones exemplifies this methodology.

He has advised students like Youri van den Hurk (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow) and contributed to projects like the Glacial Archaeology Program in Jotunheimen. His research underscores the importance of sustainability and oceans, aligning with NTNU's strategic priorities.