We are calling for support towards the airfares of early career women from countries with low-exchange rates to attend the 10th World Archaeological Congress. Please see the WAC-10 Call for Support for International Students (WAC-10), the only truly global gathering of archaeologists.
Support will be awarded to participants who have already been awarded sponsored registration and accommodation, but do not have access to funds for airfares. In contrast to their counterparts in more financially privileged nations and more senior scholars, younger scholars, especially women, frequently face limited or no opportunities for institutional assistance and career development.
This situation creates a chronic underrepresentation of this cohort in global academic settings, which means that even the most gifted and diligent scholars are unable to participate—not due to a deficiency in merit, but solely due to financial constraints.
Please help us to help early career female scholars to attend the conference in person and to enrich archaeology and cultural heritage management globally. Donation amounts are in Australian dollars.
Criteria for allocating funding
1. PhD candidate or other early career female scholar (no more than 10 years post PhD) from a low exchange rate country. Extra time will be considered for maternity.
2. Has applied from travel support from the WAC-10 Travel Grants Committee and has been awarded accommodation and registration for WAC-10.
3. Does not have access to institutional or national funding for an airfare or has limited access.
100% of funding will be used towards the airfares of early career female scholars to they can attend WAC-10 in Darwin.
(Donation amounts are in Australian dollars)
Supporters*
Wendy Beck, Daniel Hicks, Dimitrij Mlekuz Vrhovnik, David R Carlson, Gabriel Cooney, Koji Mizoguchi, Jane Lydon, Robin Torrence, Bonnie Pitblado, Andrew David Orr, Claire Smith, John Schofield, Hannah Cobb, Phil, Doug Williams, Larry Zimmerman, Shalya Monroe, John Jamieson, Lyndon Jacobi, Randall McGuire, Gustavo Politis, Ariadne Prater, Lynley Wallis, Sophie Pickett, Robyn Jenkins, Annie Ross, Margaret Conkey, Christine Williamson, Lisa R. Jett, Rodney Carter, Amber O’Grady, Jo McDonald, John McCarthy, Karina Croucher, Christopher Clark, Lyn Leader-Elliott, Anne Pyburn, Patrice Jeppson, Christine Williamson Heritage Consultants, Kerry Navin, Nicole Boivin, Suzanne Thomas, Genevieve Kan, Liz Hatte, Louise Zarmati, George Gummerman, Jennie Bradbury, Shaymae Iken, Yinika Perston, Maia Dedrick, Natali Pearson.
*Donors can elect to remain anonymous
Who Am I Supporting?
“Being the first recipient of the fundraising for young women to attend WAC-10 means so much to me. It’s not just support to attend a conference, it’s a chance to share my voice, grow my network, and feel seen in a global community of scholars. I’m incredibly grateful, and I hope this fund continues to open doors for others like me.”
Mary Otu, Nigeria
“I am highly grateful to people who have donated to enable young female scholars to present their research at WAC-10 in Darwin. This is a boon to young researchers from developing countries as it enables them to interact and discuss their work and to visualize archaeological practices from varied viewpoints.”
Dr, Oishi Roy, India
“My heartfelt thanks to the patrons who have helped raise the funding to support Early Career Women Researchers from developing countries to attend and present their work at WAC-10 Darwin. This opportunity will open many avenues for ECR women to overcome the biases they usually face. Being Chair of the WAC Students Committee since 2020, and my association with WAC SC since 2016, has proven that WAC is a safe space for women from diverse backgrounds, and that it will continue to support women from diverse backgrounds”.
Dr Nupur Tiwari, India
“I’m a PhD student in paleontology and paleogenetics, focusing on ancient ecosystems and evolutionary history through fossils and ancient DNA. I’m honoured to have received a grant to attend WAC-10, where I’ll present my research and connect with a global network of scholars.
“Attending conferences like WAC-10 is a vital step for early career women in science—but many still face financial barriers.
“Please consider donating to the “Help Early Career Women Attend WAC-10” initiative. Your support helps ensure more women can access these opportunities and have their voices heard in shaping the future of archaeology. Thank you!”
Shaymae Iken, Institut National des Sciences de l’Archéologie et du Patrimoine and Instituto Universitario de Xeoloxía Universidade da Coruña, Morocco
Organisers
Sudeshna Biwas (India), Co-Chair WAC-10 Student Committee
Lucia Gutiérrez (Argentina), Co-Chair WAC-10 Student Committee
Claire Smith (Australia), Academic Secretary WAC-10
Heather Burke (Australia), Chair, Program Committee WAC-10
WAC-10 Student Committee
Lucía Gutiérrez
Lucía Gutiérrez is an Argentine archaeologist from University of Buenos Aires (UBA), currently in the last phase of her PhD, funded by UBA and the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET). She studies the use and management of coloring resources through archaeometric analyses of rock art and other painted artifacts from Patagonian hunter-gatherer contexts (Early to Late Holocene).
Sudeshna Biswas
Sudeshna Biswas is a PhD candidate at the Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India, working in rock art research in the Central India, ethnoarchaeology, and archaeological anthropology. She is a University Gold Medalist in post-graduation from the University of Delhi, India and she is currently supported by the prestigious University Grants Commission (UGC), India, Senior Research Fellowship for her doctoral work. Her academic interests encompass socio-cultural anthropology, qualitative research, tribal studies and archaeological anthropology, with a particular focus on understanding human cognition, cultural patterns, and the anthropological interpretations of rock art and heritage. Beyond her academic endeavours, she is a trained vocalist in Indian Classical Music, blending cultural heritage with her scholarly pursuits.
