Joanna Sofaer

Joanna Sofaer is Professor of Archaeology at the University of Southampton's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, where she directs research at the intersection of heritage, creative practice, and public health. She serves as Co-Director of the Southampton Institute for Arts and Humanities and Director of Archaeology for the Creative Industries.

Research Focus: Her transdisciplinary work bridges archaeology, health sciences, and community engagement through three primary streams:

• Cultural assets as determinants of health and wellbeing
• Bronze Age material culture and creative practice
• Heritage perception in therapeutic contexts

Major Projects: Prof. Sofaer leads the UKRI-funded Pathways to Health Through Cultures of Neighbourhoods initiative and Historic England-supported Heritage and Wellbeing for NHS Staff program. She maintains long-term fieldwork at the Bronze Age settlement of Százhalombatta, Hungary, and collaborates with the National Trust on heritage wellbeing research.

Awards & Recognition: Honors include the HERA Knowledge Exchange Fellowship (2017), Fellowship of the Society of Antiquaries (2013), and principal investigator roles in multiple European research consortia. She has authored over 160 publications including 8 monographs.

Research Team: Currently advises seven PhD students exploring archaeological theory, material culture, and heritage wellbeing. Her research group partners with health providers, cultural organizations, and communities to co-design interventions leveraging cultural assets for health improvement.