Ryan Rabett

Ryan Rabett is a Senior Lecturer in Human Palaeoecology at the School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen’s University Belfast. He is actively engaged in international research projects across Southeast Asia, North America, and the Mediterranean, focusing on human adaptation during the Late Quaternary. He is the Principal Investigator of the SUNDASIA project and has played a key role in UNESCO World Heritage nominations, particularly for the Tràng An Landscape Complex in Vietnam. He is currently on extended research leave but continues to supervise postgraduate students.

• PhD in Archaeology, University of Cambridge
• MA in Archaeology, University of Cambridge
• BA in Archaeology, University of Cambridge

Ryan Rabett’s research centers on Palaeolithic archaeology, zooarchaeology, and human evolution, with a geographical focus on Southeast Asia, North Africa, and Europe. His work investigates how early humans adapted to diverse environments, especially during periods of abrupt climate change. He integrates archaeological data with broader ecological and conservation frameworks to inform modern sustainability challenges.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward interdisciplinary research, blending archaeology, environmental science, and sustainability. Themes include human-environment interaction, long-term socio-ecological modeling, and the relevance of Pleistocene adaptation strategies to contemporary climate resilience. His work often employs zooarchaeological data to reconstruct past subsistence and environmental conditions.

Ryan Rabett has received multiple scientific awards and grants, including funding from the British Academy, ASEASUK, and the D.M. McDonald Fund. He has also been awarded the Evans Fund Award and support for fieldwork in Canada.

He supervises PhD and postgraduate students and has served as an external examiner for doctoral theses in the UK, Denmark, and the Philippines. His research is supported by leadership roles in international projects and collaborations with institutions in Vietnam, Canada, Greece, and Libya.

Ryan Rabett is a member of several professional organizations, including the Royal Geographical Society, ICOMOS, the Canadian Archaeological Association, and the UNESCO HEADS programme. He is also affiliated with the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association and the Past Global Changes (PAGES) network.