Susan Arthure

Susan Arthure is a Research Fellow in the Southeast Asian Ceramics Archaeology Lab and Casual Academic at Flinders University's College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Her work focuses on historical archaeology, particularly Irish diaspora communities in colonial South Australia, folk traditions, and material culture. She holds a PhD (2023), Master of Archaeology (2014), and multiple other qualifications, including a Graduate Certificate in Experimental Archaeology (2022).

• Education:
  • PhD in Historical Archaeology, Flinders University (2023)
  • Graduate Certificate in Experimental Archaeology, University College Dublin (2022)
  • Master of Archaeology (2014), Graduate Diploma in Archaeology (2012), both from Flinders University
  • Bachelor of Social Science (Honours), University College Dublin (1983)

Research Interests: Irish social identity (Irishness), diaspora communities, folk traditions, ceramics, and community archaeology. Her PhD examined the Irish settlement of Baker's Flat, analyzing material culture and spatial patterns to understand Irishness and resistance in colonial contexts. She blogs regularly at www.dontforgetyourshovel.com.

Recent Articles and Projects: Focus on Irish diaspora, material culture of resistance, and collaborative community archaeology. Recent works include publications on Baker's Flat, underwater cultural heritage, and everyday racism. Her research bridges historical archaeology with social justice, emphasizing marginalized narratives.

• Awards:
  • 2024 College of Humanities Award for Innovation in Teaching
  • 2023 Vice-Chancellor's Doctoral Thesis Excellence Award
  • 2015 R. Ian Jack Award for Best Master's Thesis (ASHA)

Professional Engagement: Co-convenor of Irish Studies conferences, board member of Connecting Up (2012–2018), and organizer of archaeological colloquia. Her work emphasizes collaborative practice and community engagement, particularly in Kapunda and Baker's Flat.

Labs/Teams: Southeast Asian Ceramics Archaeology Lab, Flinders University.