Rate Professor Jane Balme

Professional Summary for Professor Jane Balme

Professor Jane Balme is a distinguished archaeologist and academic at the University of Western Australia (UWA), where she has made significant contributions to the study of Indigenous Australian archaeology and human-environment interactions. With a career spanning several decades, she is recognized for her expertise in zooarchaeology and the deep history of Aboriginal Australia.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Balme holds advanced degrees in archaeology, reflecting her deep commitment to the field:

• PhD in Archaeology, Australian National University (ANU), with a focus on zooarchaeology and subsistence patterns in Indigenous Australian contexts.
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours), University of Western Australia, specializing in archaeology.

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Balme’s research centers on the following key areas:

• Zooarchaeology, particularly the analysis of animal remains to understand past human diets and environmental interactions.
• Indigenous Australian archaeology, focusing on the long-term history of Aboriginal communities.
• Human colonization and adaptation in Australia, exploring early settlement patterns and cultural practices.

Career History and Appointments

Professor Balme has held several prestigious positions during her career:

• Professor of Archaeology, School of Social Sciences, University of Western Australia (current position).
• Head of School, School of Social and Cultural Studies, University of Western Australia (previous role).
• Various teaching and research roles at UWA, contributing to the development of archaeology programs and mentoring students.

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Balme’s contributions to archaeology have been recognized through numerous accolades:

• Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, acknowledging her significant impact on humanities research in Australia.
• Recipient of multiple research grants from the Australian Research Council (ARC) for projects on Indigenous archaeology and human-environment interactions.

Key Publications

Professor Balme has authored and co-authored numerous influential works in her field. A selection of her key publications includes:

• Archaeology in Practice: A Student Guide to Archaeological Analyses (co-edited with Alistair Paterson, 2006, 2nd edition 2014) – A widely used textbook for archaeology students.
• “Of boats and string: The maritime history of Indigenous Australians” (co-authored, 2013) – Published in Quaternary International, exploring maritime technologies in Aboriginal history.
• “Bone tools and the subsistence economy in prehistoric Australia” (1995) – A seminal paper on zooarchaeological evidence, published in Antiquity.
• Various articles in peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Archaeological Science and Australian Archaeology, focusing on faunal analysis and cultural heritage.

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Balme’s work has had a profound impact on the understanding of Indigenous Australian history and archaeology. Her research on zooarchaeology has provided critical insights into past subsistence strategies and environmental adaptations, contributing to global discussions on human colonization. As a mentor and educator at UWA, she has shaped the next generation of archaeologists, emphasizing ethical engagement with Indigenous communities. Her collaborative projects have also advanced interdisciplinary approaches to cultural heritage preservation.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Balme is actively involved in the broader academic and public spheres:

• Regular presenter at national and international conferences on archaeology and Indigenous studies.
• Member of editorial boards for prominent journals in archaeology, including Australian Archaeology.
• Contributor to public outreach through lectures and community engagement initiatives, promoting awareness of Australia’s deep cultural history.
• Active participant in university committees at UWA, advocating for the advancement of humanities and social sciences.