معرفی
Dr. Robert MacDonald is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Waterloo and an Adjunct Faculty member and Research Fellow at Trent University's Anthropology Graduate Program and Archaeological Research Centre. He is a Senior Archaeologist and President of Archaeological Services Inc. (ASI), where he has worked since 1982, leading large-scale environmental assessment and heritage management projects across southern and eastern Ontario.
His academic and professional background is rooted in anthropology, with degrees from Trent University (BSc, MA) and McGill University (PhD). He is accredited by the Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA) and holds a Professional Class Archaeological License in Ontario.
Dr. MacDonald's research focuses on ecological archaeology, archaeological site potential modelling, GIS applications in archaeology, Iroquoian archaeology, and lithic analysis. He has developed pre-contact Indigenous site potential models for over fifteen municipalities, including Toronto, Ottawa, and Kingston. His work bridges academic scholarship and applied heritage management, emphasizing interdisciplinary and community-engaged approaches.
His scholarly output includes over forty publications, with notable works such as the co-authored book Legacy of Stone: Ancient Life on the Niagara Frontier (1998), contributions to the Archaeology in America encyclopedia (2008), and a chapter in Toronto: An Illustrated History of Its First 12,000 Years. His publications reflect a consistent focus on Great Lakes archaeology, heritage policy, and the integration of geo-spatial technologies in archaeological research.
- Accredited by the Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA)
- Professional Class Archaeological License, Ontario
- Past President, Ontario Archaeological Society (2014–2015)
- Contributor to major heritage exhibits, including the First Nations exhibit at the Waterloo Region Museum
Dr. MacDonald has supervised numerous archaeological assessments and salvage excavations and has been instrumental in shaping heritage policy through professional leadership and consultation. He has co-organized international conferences and contributed to academic discourse on empathy and engagement in heritage making. While his academic appointments are adjunct, his influence extends through mentorship, collaborative research, and public archaeology initiatives.
He is actively involved in professional organizations and continues to contribute to the development of heritage practices in Ontario, particularly through partnerships with Indigenous communities, such as his role as a Director of Yändata’ Limited Partnership, a joint venture with the Huron Wendat Nation.
