Hosts: Alicia Odewale, University of Houston, and Jodi Skipper, University of Mississippi

Historical Archaeologists have a remarkable ability to unearth and tell compelling stories from what remains of the past - old structure, hidden archives, buried artifacts, and even cultural landscapes on the brink of destruction.  Yet, many face a significant challenge: how to translate these rich histories into public-oriented scholarship that resonates with both publishers and the communities we serve.  Join us as we explore the future of archaeological storytelling and the challenges of writing stories that matter to publishers, communities, and ourselves.  If you would like to discover your own voice in your publishing journey and share stories that reach beyond your academic or professional archaeology circles, then this session is for you.  Whether you are new to the field or a seasoned writer, this session will explore the benefits and challenges of crafting impactful archaeology narratives that change history.

Host: Paul Johnston, Smithsonian Institution

What are the different job types and career tracks in nautical archaeology today?  This discussion will speak to public archaeology (NOAA, National Park Service, BOEM, Parks Canada, Smithsonian, state programs, etc.); private-sector cultural resource management (contract archaeology, consulting); private foundations; academic positions and museum work (public and private), and treasure hunting.

Hosts: Alasdair Brooks, Co-Editor, Historical Archaeology; Annalies Corbin, ACUA Editor; and Mary Sue Daoud, Associate Publisher, Springer

You’ve done the research and synthesized the results. Now you need to share your findings with the community. What are your options?  SHA provides many ways to publish your results: journal Historical Archaeology, Technical Briefs, books co-published with academic presses, and print-on-demand special publications.  This roundtable luncheon offers a relaxed environment for early career researchers and students to ask questions about the SHA publication program and explore the different options available.

Hosts: Sarah Miller, FPAN, and Marcy Rockman, Lifting Rocks - Climate and Heritage Consulting 

Legislation can be dry to read, but it shapes what is valued, funded, and where power and responsibility lie. So thinking about what we want our legislation to say and sharing these ideas with the US Congress and other policymakers is an important muscle for archaeologists to exercise. This roundtable will host a conversation about current climate and heritage policy and build ideas and steps for SHA to take in 2025.

The SHA will hold its annual Business Meeting on Friday, January 10, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Join the SHA Board and congratulate the winners of the Robert L. Schuyler Student Travel Awards, the Ed and Judy Jelks Student Travel Award, the Harriet Tubman Student Travel Grant, the ACUA George Fischer Student Travel Award, the ACUA and Recon Offshore Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Student Travel Conference Award, the GMAC Diversity Field School Competition, the Jamie Chad Brandon Student Paper Prize, the 2025 Mark E. Mack Community Engagement Award, and the ACUA Annual Photo Competition. 

No fee for conference registrants; cash bar.

Enjoy a three-course dinner with the 2025 recipients of the John L. Cotter Award, the Daniel G. Roberts Award for Excellence in Public Historical Archaeology, the Carol V. Ruppé Distinguished Service Award, and the J.C. Harrington Medal in Historical Archaeology.

Cost: $65.00 per person. Pre-registration required.

Choice of entrée: Roasted Chicken on smoked gouda grits with green beans, roasted sweet peppers, and thyme jus or Quinoa jambalaya with blackened tofu, broccolini, and roasted sweet pepper coulis (vegan and gluten-free)

Join us for the presentation of the SHA’s John L. Cotter Award, the Daniel G. Roberts Award for Excellence in Public Historical Archaeology, the Carol V. Ruppé Distinguished Service Award, and the J.C. Harrington Medal in Historical Archaeology.  Following the awards ceremony, plan to dance the night away with your friends – new and old!