Chris Urwin
@cdurwin.bsky.social
Archaeologist and ARC DECRA fellow at Monash University (Melbourne, Australia) | Smithsonian Institution (NMNH) & Museums Victoria affiliate. Interested in all things cultural - Indigenous voyaging, exchange, heritage & museums
Pinned
Chris Urwin
@cdurwin.bsky.social
· Feb 3
🪧 Hi - I'm recruiting for a PhD looking at the history of First Nations encounters with Asian voyagers @monashuniversity.bsky.social!
Involves remote fieldwork in the NT with Yanyuwa Families
Drop me a line via the email in the ad if you're interested!
careers.pageuppeople.com/513/cw/en/jo...
Involves remote fieldwork in the NT with Yanyuwa Families
Drop me a line via the email in the ad if you're interested!
careers.pageuppeople.com/513/cw/en/jo...
Huge news for our understanding of Australian archaeology!
theconversation.com/humanitys-ol...
"... the people who made these hand stencils ... were very likely part of the population that would later cross the sea and become the ancestors of Indigenous Australians"
theconversation.com/humanitys-ol...
"... the people who made these hand stencils ... were very likely part of the population that would later cross the sea and become the ancestors of Indigenous Australians"
Humanity’s oldest known cave art has been discovered in Sulawesi
People were creating cave art in Indonesia 67,800 years ago – before modern humans reached Australia.
theconversation.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Huge news for our understanding of Australian archaeology!
theconversation.com/humanitys-ol...
"... the people who made these hand stencils ... were very likely part of the population that would later cross the sea and become the ancestors of Indigenous Australians"
theconversation.com/humanitys-ol...
"... the people who made these hand stencils ... were very likely part of the population that would later cross the sea and become the ancestors of Indigenous Australians"
Reposted by Chris Urwin
The ARC’s processes are back to being farcical, @jasonclaremp.bsky.social
You advocated for a streamlined, efficient, faster ARC, but all that progress has been undone.
How can they claim to fund “innovation” with more than a year between initial proposal & outcomes? It should be 6 months, not 16!
You advocated for a streamlined, efficient, faster ARC, but all that progress has been undone.
How can they claim to fund “innovation” with more than a year between initial proposal & outcomes? It should be 6 months, not 16!
⁉️The ARC has delayed outcomes of ALL grants 1–4 months & increased scheduled outcome windows from 2 weeks to 3 months!
This reverses 4 years of progress in providing greater certainty & ability to plan for researchers, their families & unis.
Their excuse? Security checks under new ARC legislation👇
This reverses 4 years of progress in providing greater certainty & ability to plan for researchers, their families & unis.
Their excuse? Security checks under new ARC legislation👇
January 12, 2026 at 1:34 AM
The ARC’s processes are back to being farcical, @jasonclaremp.bsky.social
You advocated for a streamlined, efficient, faster ARC, but all that progress has been undone.
How can they claim to fund “innovation” with more than a year between initial proposal & outcomes? It should be 6 months, not 16!
You advocated for a streamlined, efficient, faster ARC, but all that progress has been undone.
How can they claim to fund “innovation” with more than a year between initial proposal & outcomes? It should be 6 months, not 16!
Reposted by Chris Urwin
Discovery Projects are now a complete joke:
EoIs were due 12 Dec last year. Full apps are due 22 April this year. Results won't be out until next year: 15 Jan – 15 Apr 2027.
That’s up to 16 MONTHS!
EoIs were due 12 Dec last year. Full apps are due 22 April this year. Results won't be out until next year: 15 Jan – 15 Apr 2027.
That’s up to 16 MONTHS!
January 12, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Discovery Projects are now a complete joke:
EoIs were due 12 Dec last year. Full apps are due 22 April this year. Results won't be out until next year: 15 Jan – 15 Apr 2027.
That’s up to 16 MONTHS!
EoIs were due 12 Dec last year. Full apps are due 22 April this year. Results won't be out until next year: 15 Jan – 15 Apr 2027.
That’s up to 16 MONTHS!
Reposted by Chris Urwin
ARC’s new schedule is at www.arc.gov.au/funding-rese...
It will now take A YEAR, or more, for researchers to know whether their grants are successful or not.
For example, early-career researchers are to submit DECRA proposals 11 March this year but they may not be announced 'til 9 March NEXT YEAR!
It will now take A YEAR, or more, for researchers to know whether their grants are successful or not.
For example, early-career researchers are to submit DECRA proposals 11 March this year but they may not be announced 'til 9 March NEXT YEAR!
January 12, 2026 at 1:17 AM
ARC’s new schedule is at www.arc.gov.au/funding-rese...
It will now take A YEAR, or more, for researchers to know whether their grants are successful or not.
For example, early-career researchers are to submit DECRA proposals 11 March this year but they may not be announced 'til 9 March NEXT YEAR!
It will now take A YEAR, or more, for researchers to know whether their grants are successful or not.
For example, early-career researchers are to submit DECRA proposals 11 March this year but they may not be announced 'til 9 March NEXT YEAR!
Reposted by Chris Urwin
⁉️The ARC has delayed outcomes of ALL grants 1–4 months & increased scheduled outcome windows from 2 weeks to 3 months!
This reverses 4 years of progress in providing greater certainty & ability to plan for researchers, their families & unis.
Their excuse? Security checks under new ARC legislation👇
This reverses 4 years of progress in providing greater certainty & ability to plan for researchers, their families & unis.
Their excuse? Security checks under new ARC legislation👇
January 12, 2026 at 1:17 AM
⁉️The ARC has delayed outcomes of ALL grants 1–4 months & increased scheduled outcome windows from 2 weeks to 3 months!
This reverses 4 years of progress in providing greater certainty & ability to plan for researchers, their families & unis.
Their excuse? Security checks under new ARC legislation👇
This reverses 4 years of progress in providing greater certainty & ability to plan for researchers, their families & unis.
Their excuse? Security checks under new ARC legislation👇
Reposted by Chris Urwin
More on ARC job cuts & restructure:
ARC’s spending $374k on consultants for organisational “review” & “planning & development”.
They’re also spending $765k on “risk management”.
That’s $1.1 million on consultants being spent over 1 year.
Un. Believable.
Slow clap, ARC.
ARC’s spending $374k on consultants for organisational “review” & “planning & development”.
They’re also spending $765k on “risk management”.
That’s $1.1 million on consultants being spent over 1 year.
Un. Believable.
Slow clap, ARC.
December 12, 2025 at 5:05 AM
More on ARC job cuts & restructure:
ARC’s spending $374k on consultants for organisational “review” & “planning & development”.
They’re also spending $765k on “risk management”.
That’s $1.1 million on consultants being spent over 1 year.
Un. Believable.
Slow clap, ARC.
ARC’s spending $374k on consultants for organisational “review” & “planning & development”.
They’re also spending $765k on “risk management”.
That’s $1.1 million on consultants being spent over 1 year.
Un. Believable.
Slow clap, ARC.
Reposted by Chris Urwin
Where to start, with a statement like this?
"Tim Ayres said the cuts were aimed at refocusing … CSIRO towards research priorities, such as critical minerals, iron & steel production in Australia."
From some rando down the bus stop, one would brush it off.
But this is from our Science Minister 🤯
"Tim Ayres said the cuts were aimed at refocusing … CSIRO towards research priorities, such as critical minerals, iron & steel production in Australia."
From some rando down the bus stop, one would brush it off.
But this is from our Science Minister 🤯
CSIRO to cut up to 350 research jobs in major overhaul
After 440 positions were slashed last year, the CSIRO has announced more staff cuts across the country in a bid to remain financially viable.
www.abc.net.au
November 19, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Where to start, with a statement like this?
"Tim Ayres said the cuts were aimed at refocusing … CSIRO towards research priorities, such as critical minerals, iron & steel production in Australia."
From some rando down the bus stop, one would brush it off.
But this is from our Science Minister 🤯
"Tim Ayres said the cuts were aimed at refocusing … CSIRO towards research priorities, such as critical minerals, iron & steel production in Australia."
From some rando down the bus stop, one would brush it off.
But this is from our Science Minister 🤯
Delighted to take part in this @austarchj.bsky.social Forum inspired by Kellie Pollard (et al.) on archaeology for #Indigenous emancipation
In response, we share Yanyuwa perspectives on why even 'sterile' beach sands are cultural (‘Shell grit has a song’)
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
In response, we share Yanyuwa perspectives on why even 'sterile' beach sands are cultural (‘Shell grit has a song’)
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
‘Shell grit has a song’: Disconcerting stratigraphy on Yanyuwa Country
Published in Australian Archaeology (Ahead of Print, 2025)
www.tandfonline.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Delighted to take part in this @austarchj.bsky.social Forum inspired by Kellie Pollard (et al.) on archaeology for #Indigenous emancipation
In response, we share Yanyuwa perspectives on why even 'sterile' beach sands are cultural (‘Shell grit has a song’)
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
In response, we share Yanyuwa perspectives on why even 'sterile' beach sands are cultural (‘Shell grit has a song’)
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Chris Urwin
New Forum in Australian Archaeology: “Voice: A Third Space in Archaeology to Advance Indigenous Emancipation,” with commentaries & authors’ response.
All articles FREE for 30 days 👉 www.tandfonline.com/action/showA...
All articles FREE for 30 days 👉 www.tandfonline.com/action/showA...
Latest articles from Australian Archaeology
Browse the latest articles and research from Australian Archaeology
www.tandfonline.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
New Forum in Australian Archaeology: “Voice: A Third Space in Archaeology to Advance Indigenous Emancipation,” with commentaries & authors’ response.
All articles FREE for 30 days 👉 www.tandfonline.com/action/showA...
All articles FREE for 30 days 👉 www.tandfonline.com/action/showA...
Reposted by Chris Urwin
Our new study of an Australian boomerang 🪃 is out! ‘How forensic analysis & traditional knowledge reveal the story of a unique boomerang’ in The Conversation: theconversation.com/how-forensic...
And our in-depth research article in ‘Australian Archaeology’: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🏺
And our in-depth research article in ‘Australian Archaeology’: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🏺
How forensic analysis and traditional knowledge reveal the story of a unique boomerang
Grip marks, blood and fire damage hint at the fascinating history of a non-returning boomerang.
theconversation.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Our new study of an Australian boomerang 🪃 is out! ‘How forensic analysis & traditional knowledge reveal the story of a unique boomerang’ in The Conversation: theconversation.com/how-forensic...
And our in-depth research article in ‘Australian Archaeology’: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🏺
And our in-depth research article in ‘Australian Archaeology’: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🏺
Fascinating new research - using traditional knowledge, archaeology and collections to uncover new (old) Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung stories from this wangim (boomerang)!
What a great example of Indigenous-driven artefact research by @carolinedigs.bsky.social et al
theconversation.com/how-forensic...
What a great example of Indigenous-driven artefact research by @carolinedigs.bsky.social et al
theconversation.com/how-forensic...
How forensic analysis and traditional knowledge reveal the story of a unique boomerang
Grip marks, blood and fire damage hint at the fascinating history of a non-returning boomerang.
theconversation.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Fascinating new research - using traditional knowledge, archaeology and collections to uncover new (old) Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung stories from this wangim (boomerang)!
What a great example of Indigenous-driven artefact research by @carolinedigs.bsky.social et al
theconversation.com/how-forensic...
What a great example of Indigenous-driven artefact research by @carolinedigs.bsky.social et al
theconversation.com/how-forensic...
Reposted by Chris Urwin
Durham, early morning
August 25, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Durham, early morning
Precious finger traces from First Nations ancestors revealed in a glittering mountain cave in Australia
theconversation.com/precious-fin...
theconversation.com/precious-fin...
Precious finger traces from First Nations ancestors revealed in a glittering mountain cave in Australia
Thousands of years ago, adults and children left their marks on soft rock surfaces deep in this cave in GunaiKurnai Country.
theconversation.com
July 29, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Precious finger traces from First Nations ancestors revealed in a glittering mountain cave in Australia
theconversation.com/precious-fin...
theconversation.com/precious-fin...
Reposted by Chris Urwin
Australian writers urge Albanese to abolish Job-Ready Graduates
The critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative skills of Bachelor of Arts graduates are critical for navigating a future of challenges and careers that haven’t yet been imagined.
#RepealJRG
theconversation.com/top-australi...
The critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative skills of Bachelor of Arts graduates are critical for navigating a future of challenges and careers that haven’t yet been imagined.
#RepealJRG
theconversation.com/top-australi...
Top Australian writers urge Albanese to abolish Job-Ready Graduates, calling their humanities degrees life changing
Tim Winton, Helen Garner and Peter Garrett are just a few of the high-profile signatories to an open letter against Job-Ready Graduates – and for the humanities.
theconversation.com
July 28, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Australian writers urge Albanese to abolish Job-Ready Graduates
The critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative skills of Bachelor of Arts graduates are critical for navigating a future of challenges and careers that haven’t yet been imagined.
#RepealJRG
theconversation.com/top-australi...
The critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative skills of Bachelor of Arts graduates are critical for navigating a future of challenges and careers that haven’t yet been imagined.
#RepealJRG
theconversation.com/top-australi...
Reposted by Chris Urwin
1/
THREAD: It’s with deep regret we share the news that SAPIENS will halt publication of new content by the end of this year. We are so proud of everything SAPIENS has achieved and for our role in furthering public anthropology. Wenner-Gren’s letter to our community. wennergren.org/important-ne...
THREAD: It’s with deep regret we share the news that SAPIENS will halt publication of new content by the end of this year. We are so proud of everything SAPIENS has achieved and for our role in furthering public anthropology. Wenner-Gren’s letter to our community. wennergren.org/important-ne...
Important News about SAPIENS
wennergren.org
July 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM
1/
THREAD: It’s with deep regret we share the news that SAPIENS will halt publication of new content by the end of this year. We are so proud of everything SAPIENS has achieved and for our role in furthering public anthropology. Wenner-Gren’s letter to our community. wennergren.org/important-ne...
THREAD: It’s with deep regret we share the news that SAPIENS will halt publication of new content by the end of this year. We are so proud of everything SAPIENS has achieved and for our role in furthering public anthropology. Wenner-Gren’s letter to our community. wennergren.org/important-ne...
Horrendous news about the unique anthropology magazine @sapiens.org and the study of the human past and present worldwide
Wenner Gren is closing Sapiens because, among other things, they anticipate being able to fund fewer than 10% of their applications... at the same time as other funding sources from the federal government are being destroyed. This funding environment is an existential crisis for anthropology 🏺🧪
July 25, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Horrendous news about the unique anthropology magazine @sapiens.org and the study of the human past and present worldwide
Reposted by Chris Urwin
Men traded wares – but women traded knowledge: what a new archaeological study tells us about PNG sea trade #archaeology theconversation.com/men-traded-w... /em
Men traded wares – but women traded knowledge: what a new archaeological study tells us about PNG sea trade
Archaeologists once assumed that men were responsible for seafaring trade in Papua New Guinea. New research shows how women played a fundamental role.
theconversation.com
June 30, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Men traded wares – but women traded knowledge: what a new archaeological study tells us about PNG sea trade #archaeology theconversation.com/men-traded-w... /em
Reposted by Chris Urwin
"Productivity reform starts with public science" by Nathan Garland @n8sci.bsky.social has some worthy suggestions for improving productivity.
In news we all know – but the Government seems to like ignoring – it'll help to fund more basic science research!
nathangarland.substack.com/p/productivi...
In news we all know – but the Government seems to like ignoring – it'll help to fund more basic science research!
nathangarland.substack.com/p/productivi...
July 1, 2025 at 1:06 AM
"Productivity reform starts with public science" by Nathan Garland @n8sci.bsky.social has some worthy suggestions for improving productivity.
In news we all know – but the Government seems to like ignoring – it'll help to fund more basic science research!
nathangarland.substack.com/p/productivi...
In news we all know – but the Government seems to like ignoring – it'll help to fund more basic science research!
nathangarland.substack.com/p/productivi...
Delighted to share our #archaeology 🏺 research in @theconvo-bot.bsky.social
Men traded wares – but women traded knowledge: what a new archeological study tells us about PNG sea trade
theconversation.com/men-traded-w...
Men traded wares – but women traded knowledge: what a new archeological study tells us about PNG sea trade
theconversation.com/men-traded-w...
Men traded wares – but women traded knowledge: what a new archeological study tells us about PNG sea trade
Archaeologists once assumed that men were responsible for seafaring trade in Papua New Guinea. New research shows how women played a fundamental role.
theconversation.com
June 30, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Delighted to share our #archaeology 🏺 research in @theconvo-bot.bsky.social
Men traded wares – but women traded knowledge: what a new archeological study tells us about PNG sea trade
theconversation.com/men-traded-w...
Men traded wares – but women traded knowledge: what a new archeological study tells us about PNG sea trade
theconversation.com/men-traded-w...
Reposted by Chris Urwin
So many congratulations to my dear colleague @jojomcd.bsky.social and @ciehf.bsky.social Chief Investigator on receiving an ARC Australian Laureate Fellowship for her project Pilbara Dreaming: Rock Art, Water and Heritage Futures!
June 26, 2025 at 1:45 AM
So many congratulations to my dear colleague @jojomcd.bsky.social and @ciehf.bsky.social Chief Investigator on receiving an ARC Australian Laureate Fellowship for her project Pilbara Dreaming: Rock Art, Water and Heritage Futures!
Beyond delighted to have received ARC Linkage funding to work with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and Museums Victoria to unlock new Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung stories through archaeology in artefact collections
📣 Congratulations to Distinguished Prof @lynetterussell.bsky.social AM FAHA FASSA, Prof Ian McNiven FAHA & the wider team at @monashuniversity.bsky.social on securing a $1.2m Linkage Project grant from the Australian Research Council (ARC). Project details below ⬇️
June 26, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Beyond delighted to have received ARC Linkage funding to work with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and Museums Victoria to unlock new Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung stories through archaeology in artefact collections
Reposted by Chris Urwin
Congratulations to the University of Sydney (Kakadu places of the recent past) and Monash University (Aboriginal artefact collections from southeast Australia) teams for their recent success in the ARC Linkage Projects funding #ozarch rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/D... /em
Research Management System - Funded Projects - Linkage Projects 2024 round 2
RMS is the ARC's Research Management System, a web-based system used by eligible researchers to prepare and submit research proposals and assessments under the ARC National Competitive Grants Program…
rms.arc.gov.au
June 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Congratulations to the University of Sydney (Kakadu places of the recent past) and Monash University (Aboriginal artefact collections from southeast Australia) teams for their recent success in the ARC Linkage Projects funding #ozarch rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/D... /em
Reposted by Chris Urwin
June 17, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Reposted by Chris Urwin
@arc-tracker.bsky.social I’m struck by the irony / inconsistency / disconnect between the constant reminders I have been receiving over the past weeks to get on and complete my ARC assessments, while I await the LP24 outcome. He says during a break from completing the assessments…
June 11, 2025 at 2:39 AM
@arc-tracker.bsky.social I’m struck by the irony / inconsistency / disconnect between the constant reminders I have been receiving over the past weeks to get on and complete my ARC assessments, while I await the LP24 outcome. He says during a break from completing the assessments…