Esther Breithoff

Dr. Esther Breithoff is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Historical Studies, specializing in Contemporary Archaeology and Critical Heritage Studies. Her work explores relationships between conflicts, resources, recycling, and rights across more-than-human worlds in the Anthropocene. She holds a PhD from the University of Bristol and prior postdoctoral positions at UiT The Arctic University of Norway and UCL Institute of Archaeology.

• Education: PhD Archaeology & Anthropology (University of Bristol), MA Historical Archaeology (UCL), BA International Archaeology & Hispanic Studies (University College Dublin)

Her research interests include conflict archaeologies, critical heritage studies, posthumanism, and heritage futures. She leads the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship-funded 'Material Memories' project, addressing heritage transformation in Paraguay and Laos through archaeology.

Her publications (2020–2025) focus on war waste, oil industries, biodiversity conservation, and time capsules, emphasizing material culture and ethical temporality. Awards include UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (2019) and Outstanding PhD Thesis (Luxembourg National Research Fund, 2017). Professional roles include editorial work at the Journal of Contemporary Archaeology and membership in UKRI peer review colleges.

• Grants: £1.6M+ UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, UCL's GCRF funding
• Advisory Roles: UBEL DTP Pathway Lead for Archaeology & Heritage, HCA Research Committee

Her research group collaborates globally, focusing on heritage futures and environmental justice through interdisciplinary methods.