Kelsey Hanson

Dr. Kelsey Hanson is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Texas at Arlington (Department of Sociology and Anthropology), where she teaches courses in archaeology and methodology. She also holds concurrent roles as a Research Associate at the New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies and a Florence C. and Robert H. Lister Fellow at the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center. Her research focuses on Chacoan archaeology, Indigenous technologies, and cultural resource management (CRM), with a particular emphasis on material culture, ritual practices, and collaborative heritage preservation.

• PhD in Anthropology from The University of Arizona (2024)
• MS in Anthropology from Illinois State University (2016)
• BS in Anthropology and GIS Technology from Grand Valley State University (2014)

Her research integrates archaeological chemistry, spatial analysis, and Indigenous ontologies to explore the social and environmental dimensions of prehistoric societies. Key projects include investigating paint production in Chaco Canyon, analyzing CRM field school pedagogy, and advocating for multivocal heritage frameworks. Recent work emphasizes the performative roles of material practices in power dynamics and community formation.

Dr. Hanson has been recognized with awards such as the Julian D. Hayden Paper Prize (2022) and the Cordell Prize (2021). She actively mentors undergraduate researchers through programs like UROP and UGARP and serves on boards for organizations like Painted Rocks Historical Site, Inc. Her teaching spans archaeological methods, CRM, and theoretical archaeology, with a focus on experiential learning.

• Recent articles explore pigment analysis, plaza space transformations, and CRM educational initiatives
• Professional service includes departmental program reviews, anthropology club advising, and public archaeology outreach