Kaitlin Brown
Assistant Professor

Brief Biography

Kaitlin Brown, Ph.D., is a historical archaeologist who examines how communities come together, adapt, and preserve their stories over time. She mainly focuses on Indigenous-colonial interactions and historic migrations across North America. Her work bridges the past and present through public and community-engaged archaeology by emphasizing collaborative fieldwork and partnerships with descendant communities.

Through diverse field projects across California, Kaitlin connects archaeological research to real-world impact. She utilizes community-based participatory research (CBPR), ethnography, and low-impact field methods to make archaeology more accessible and equitable. At the core of her work is a commitment to ethical practices, social justice, and fostering spaces where diverse perspectives are valued and heard.

As an educator, Kaitlin enjoys working closely with both undergraduate and graduate students. She teaches in the MA in Public Archaeology program, which promotes hands-on learning that prepares students for careers in CRM, museums, and beyond. For her, it’s all about equipping the next generation to thoughtfully and responsibly engage with material culture and heritage.

Learn more about her ongoing research and active lab here: https://communityarchlab.com/

Research 

Historical Archaeology Indigenous-colonial Interactions California Archaeology Public Archaeology Community-Based Participatory Research Oral History

Connections