Katie Stringer Clary

Katie Stringer Clary, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in Interdisciplinary Studies at Coastal Carolina University, specializing in museology, death studies, and cultural heritage. Her research explores museum ethics, the historical contexts of human remains, dark tourism, and digital history applications.

• Education: Ph.D. in Public History (MTSU, 2013), M.A. in History with Museum Studies Certificate (University of Memphis, 2010), B.A. in History (MTSU, 2008)

Her recent work focuses on death’s role in public history, evidenced by co-editing The Routledge Handbook of Museums, Heritage, and Death (2023) and publishing chapters on corpse display ethics and ghost tours. She integrates community collaboration into her research, exemplified by the Waccamaw Indian People cultural heritage project with Dr. Carolyn Dillian.

Notable accolades include the American Historical Association’s Eugene Asher Distinguished Teaching Award (2022) and Coastal Carolina’s Faculty Innovation and Excellence Award (2023). Her publications span topics like 3D technology in heritage preservation and ethical museum practices.

• Scientific Awards: CCU Provost’s Faculty Innovation and Excellence Award (2023), Eugene Asher Distinguished Teaching Award (2022), Leadership in History Award (2022), Society for American Archaeology Public Archaeology Project Award (2022)

Clary actively partners with communities to preserve cultural heritage and teaches interdisciplinary courses bridging museum studies, death studies, and public history. She resides with her dogs Harry Clary and Brutus, cat Miss Frances, and eleven chickens.