Lyndon Fraser

Lyndon Fraser is an Associate Professor in the Department of History within the Faculty of Arts at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, a position he has held since July 2000. He also serves as a Research Fellow at Canterbury Museum and Co-Editor of The New Zealand Journal of History, bridging anthropology and historical scholarship with expertise in material culture and storytelling.

Fraser's research centers on deathways, magic, and witchcraft, extending to migration, ethnicity, and heritage studies. His work explores Victorian-era memorial practices, Irish diaspora narratives, and cross-cultural encounters in colonial New Zealand, drawing from early influences at Canterbury Museum and Te Papa. He examines how material objects like memorial jewellery and shipboard accounts convey cultural meanings around grief and identity.

His recent publications demonstrate a pronounced focus on maritime death narratives of British and Irish migrants, with significant contributions to understanding memorialisation practices through wills, cemeteries, and material culture. This interdisciplinary body of work spans history, anthropology, and museum studies, revealing consistent themes of power, gender, and colonial experience in New Zealand's past.

Dr. Fraser has received recognition including prizes for his Irish diaspora books and an award for the television series "One Land". His research fellowships include:

• Visiting Research Fellow, University of Melbourne (2016)
• Research Fellow, Canterbury Museum (2014-2018)
• Research Fellow, University of Melbourne (2006-2007 and 2002)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Massey University (1997-1999)

As a dedicated supervisor, Fraser has mentored over 70 graduate students through Master's and Doctoral research on diverse topics including migration identity, material culture, and colonial history. His supervision portfolio reflects strong engagement with contemporary historical methodologies and Māori perspectives, while his editorial work with The New Zealand Journal of History shapes scholarly discourse in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Fraser maintains active collaboration with Canterbury Museum on exhibition projects and public history initiatives, including the "Kiwi Sceptics" series. His current work continues to investigate Victorian death practices through ongoing archival research and interdisciplinary partnerships, positioning him at the forefront of historical scholarship in New Zealand.