Simon Kaner

Simon Kaner is a Professor and Executive Director at the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, and Director of the Centre for Japanese Studies at the University of East Anglia. He holds a PhD (2004) and MA from Cambridge University. His research focuses on Japanese prehistory, urban archaeology, and cultural heritage management, with projects like the Shinano River landscape study and Kofun period archaeology.

• Education: MA Cantab, PhD (2004)

Key research interests include Japanese prehistoric archaeology, comparative urban development, and heritage preservation. Recent publications explore archaeology's role in wellbeing and Silk Road religious urbanism.

Lead grants include the Gatsby Foundation's Japanese arts study (2023–2025) and Ishibashi Foundation fellowships (2025–2026). He directs the Centre for Archaeology and Heritage and contributes to UN SDGs through heritage projects.

• Awards: Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (2005)

He coordinates interdisciplinary teams on projects like the Later Prehistoric Norfolk archaeology initiative and Ainu art studies. His work bridges academic research with public engagement and heritage policy.