Alicia Boswell

Alicia Boswell is an Assistant Professor of History of Art and Architecture at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), and currently serves as the Vice-Director of the LAIS (Latin American and Iberian Studies) program. She holds a Ph.D. from UC San Diego (2016), preceded by an M.A. and B.A. from UC San Diego and the University of Michigan, respectively. Her research focuses on the art and archaeology of the ancient Americas, particularly the Andes, with an emphasis on understanding cultural relationships through material evidence.

Her current project examines Moche elite regalia (AD 200–800) to explore regional identities and sociopolitical dynamics. She has conducted fieldwork in Peru, Mexico, and California, and collaborates with modern Andean communities through organizations like MOCHE, Inc., prioritizing community-based heritage preservation. Her work bridges academic research with practical conservation efforts, aiming to integrate heritage management into scholarly frameworks.

Dr. Boswell’s research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, Dumbarton Oaks, and UC institutions. Notable awards include the Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship (2016–2018) at Bard Graduate Center and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her publications span archaeological chronology, frontier studies, and material culture analysis.

Teaching includes courses on Pre-Columbian art, cultural landscapes, and global archaeological perspectives. She advocates for interdisciplinary approaches, combining fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and community engagement.