Sarah F Scarlett

Sarah F Scarlett is an Associate Professor of History at Michigan Technological University, working within the Industrial Heritage and Archaeology Program in the College of Social Sciences. Her interdisciplinary research bridges historical scholarship with digital spatial technologies to explore how built environments shape social identities in industrial contexts.

• Michigan Technological University (Current)
• Industrial Heritage and Archaeology Program
• College of Social Sciences

Her research focuses on social history through the lens of architecture, landscapes, and material culture, with particular emphasis on Michigan's Copper Country as a case study for examining class and gender identities. She investigates how domestic landscapes and suburban neighborhoods in industrial communities reflect power dynamics and social relations. Additionally, she explores the application of digital spatial tools in community-engaged heritage projects, demonstrating how technology can enhance both scholarly research and public interpretation of historical landscapes.

Her publications reveal a strong trend toward place-based historical analysis combined with digital methodology. Her work increasingly incorporates community participation in historical research, particularly through the Keweenaw Time Traveler project which engages 'Citizen Historians' in documenting landscape change. The interdisciplinary nature of her research spans history, geography, architecture, and digital humanities.

• NEH-sponsored Keweenaw Time Traveler project
• Collaborative research with National Park Service on Pullman National Monument

Through her teaching, Dr. Scarlett integrates primary document research with material evidence, having students contribute to the Keweenaw Time Traveler 'deep map' to develop place-based digital storytelling skills. Her approach demonstrates the pedagogical value of combining mobile-enabled HGIS projects with community-engaged scholarship to create active learning opportunities that connect students directly with historical landscapes and community knowledge.