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| Dr. Ayana Flewellen (Source: Stanford University Department of Anthropology) |
Dr. Ayana Flewellen almost did not go into the field of archaeology, an area of study that they are truly dedicated to and accomplished in. Growing up they were not aware of the possibility of becoming an archaeologist because they never saw Black archaeologists, only White archaeologists. It was by chance that they ended up in the field, and it is a blessing they did because they are a rising star within the field. This blog post is dedicated to addressing their career and accomplishments thus far.
Dr. Ayana Flewellen identifies as a Black, queer, nonbinary person who uses the pronouns they/she. Growing up they fell in love with history when their mother took them to various museums, including the Smithsonian. These activities were born out of a need to entertain themselves with limited funds, but for Flewellen it was an opportunity to explore their interests, igniting a passion in history at an early age. They began to explore that passion further as an undergraduate student at the University of Florida, where they spent the first two years of study as an undeclared student. This led them to take various courses to see what they were ultimately interested in, and it was by chance that they took a cultural anthropology course one summer. They became hooked on the field, leading them to take as many cross-listed anthropology and African American Studies courses as possible. When they took a course called, “Archaeology of African American Life,” Flewellen knew what they wanted to be when they grew up: an archaeologist.
Flewellen went onto graduate school in Texas, earning a Masters and then Ph.D. from the University of Texas. They met up with various other up and coming scholars, as well as learned from some of the best scholars in anthropology. Together, these experiences informed Flewellen’s scholarly approaches, leading them to pursue Black Feminist archaeology (among other related areas of study). Over the years they have accomplished a variety of achievements, including becoming the co-founder and current Board Chair of the Society of Black Archaeologists (a position shared with Justin Dunnavant), a Board Member of Diving With a Purpose, a member of the inaugural cohort of the Called By Water, and more. In 2022 Flewellen became an Assistant Professor at Stanford University, where they continue their studies in archaeology and maritime archaeology.
Flewellen, however, finds the most fulfillment in how their work touches the lives of those outside of the field. In 2020 they were part of a project involving diving into the Great Lakes to recover the remains of Tuskegee Airmen who crashed their plane during a WWII training mission. The opportunity to talk about that project with local students was fulfilling for Flewellen, meeting a life long goal of theirs to talk about histories that are very rarely addressed and brining humanity to people and populations that are often ignored and dehumanized throughout history. As Flewellen is a newer scholar it will be amazing to see where they go next and the next achievements they make in the field.
Bibliography
California Academy of Sciences. (2024). New Science: Ayana Flewellen. Retrieved from California Academy of Sciences: https://www.calacademy.org/new-science/ayana-flewellen
Flewellen, A. (n.d.). About. Retrieved from Ayana Omilade Flewellen: https://www.ayanaomiladeflewellen.com/about-1
Flewellen, A. O. (n.d.). Ayana Omilade Flewellen, Assistant Professor of Anthropology. Retrieved from Stanford Department of Anthropology: https://anthropology.stanford.edu/people/ayana-omilade-flewellen
The Explorer's Club. (2021). Ayana Omilade Flewellen: Archaeologist. Retrieved from The Explorer's Club: https://50.explorers.org/community/ayana-omilade-flewellen/
3 comments:
Dr. Ayana Flewellen’s journey is incredibly inspiring. Their dedication to Black Feminist archaeology and uncovering overlooked histories is so important, especially in a field where diverse voices have often been underrepresented. It’s amazing to see how she is not only making an impact in academia but also engaging with communities and bringing history to life in meaningful ways. Her work with the Society of Black Archaeologists and projects like recovering the remains of the Tuskegee Airmen shows her deep commitment to preserving and honoring Black history.
Dr. Ayana Flewellen’s journey into archaeology was unexpected but transformative. Initially unaware that becoming an archaeologist was an option, they discovered their passion through anthropology courses in college. Flewellen went on to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Texas and became a leader in Black Feminist archaeology. They co-founded the Society of Black Archaeologists and now serve as an Assistant Professor at Stanford. Their work extends beyond academia, with projects like recovering Tuskegee Airmen remains, highlighting their commitment to preserving overlooked histories. As a rising scholar, their future contributions to archaeology will be exciting to follow.
I enjoyed reading your post about Dr. Ayana Flewellen's journey because its inspiring. Thier dedication to amplifying Black history while also being a feminist through archeology has a meaningful impact on the community. Dr. Ayana Flewellen leadership highlights the importance of representation and inclusivity in archaeology.
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