It's hard work chasing raccoons at 4am and making mom drag me inside in her jammies and then pulling curtain rods out of the wall while I go crazy barking at people on the street 🐩

A professional milestone! 🎉 I just achieved certification as a Certified Interpretive Planner (CIP) through the National Association for Interpretation! And I'm currently the ONLY CIP in Iowa! If you're interested in interp planning for public archaeology programs & historic sites, get in touch! 😁🏺

OOF, an hour into the morning, and I just now finished responding to all the weekend and morning emails from robotics teams. If you're also struggling to keep up to requests, point them towards this Wednesday webinar! Plenty of registration slots left! 🏺#FIRSTLEGOLeague #FLLUnearthed #LEGOrobotics

Now's a good time to join the #Iowa Archeological Society! Non-professional members get a discounted early bird registration rate for PAC & MAC of only $30! New IAS members, get a membership now & it's good thru all of 2026! iowaarcheologicalsociety.org/2025-fall-me... 🏺

There are over 300 registration slots still available for this webinar on 10/1! If you can't accommodate a Zoom or meet-up with a team, let them know about this opportunity! #FIRSTLEGOLeague #FLLUnearthed #Unearthed #LEGOrobotics #FIRSTChamp 🏺

Although it's overwhelming, the FIRST LEGO challenge is essentially leading ~700k kids globally straight to us to learn about REAL #archaeology. If you're concerned about the closing of Anthro/arch depts, CRM labor shortage, pseudo-sci or advocacy, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE to inspire future involvement!

SIGN UP! SIGN UP! SIGN UP! And Iowa archaeologists, I'm fielding about 5 requests a day and making matches between my program, coworkers & too few volunteers. Help us out!

Who's coming to Iowa City?! I'll be doing a public outreach skills-building practicum (more on that soon) & presenting my needs assessment research for revisions to the Iowa Archaeological Certification Program for avocationals. Maybe I'll bring my dog to the office too 🐩 #Iowa #Archaeology

CVS gave me a big bag of popcorn and a $10 coupon afterwards. And it was quick and easy!

We're participating in this upcoming Robotics webinar hosted by the SAA on 10/1, 4pmCT/5pmET! Registration required t attend live, but the video will be on YouTube afterwards. tinyurl.com/2cu7nefy #FIRSTLEGOLeague #FLLUnearthed #Unearthed #LEGOrobotics #FIRSTChamp 🏺

Archaeologists, many of us are at or beyond capacity with FIRST LEGO requests. The kids will soon move from general Q&A to needing specific feedback on their team projects, and they'll want some one on one time for that. If you can do ONE zoom, it makes a huge difference! #pubarch 🏺

Another busy year - it's all a blur tbh 😵🥴 but still a dream job! 🏺 Now to make the archival screen-reader accessible PDF version (Acrobat probably will at some point cause me to chuck a laptop out a window)

I'm starting to run out of local archaeologists who are Not Afraid of Kids™ to volunteer to meet w/ robotics teams. Help out your state if you can! I promise, these are super sharp kids who are tapped in and ask great questions. Sign up for Skype a Scientist or let your state archy know you're game!

Anyone else having a myriad of stupid tech problems lately and in general just very very cranky and coffee and naps and pet snuggles aren't fixing it?

Some PIs to archaeologists who build public communication & interpretive science skills instead of focusing on other CRM or academic skills that contractors will pay for (yeah, I said it!) www.tiktok.com/@theworkmeme...

Archaeologists: you've likely been getting some confusing emails! To clarify, these kids are NOT creating robots to do any sort of real field/lab work. The theme guides their research: learning keywords, chatting with professionals, citing reliable sources. They're looking for mentorship! 🏺 #pubarch

Headed to DC & excited for the 2025 Conference on Public Archaeology. Which reminds me, the 30% off code expires for this next month. Use code RLFANDF30 at www.bloomsbury.com/9781538180815! #PubArch2025DC #pubarch 🏺

Archaeology needs public outreach and communication more than ever! Join us at the JHU Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC, on August 8-9 for the 2025 Conference on Public Archaeology for workshops, panel discussions, and networking. Register now! archaeologycommunity.flipcause.com/secure/cause...

It was such a cool opportunity to be a part of this book club discussion! I didn't identify with the anthropologists in the book, but I *know* those people (who don't agree with or take repatriation seriously). This book is a great intro to Ojibwe culture and NAGPRA for anyone unfamiliar with it!

Oof. I hope the Annals of Iowa finds a way through this! It's a gem. I just finished peer review edits for an article on Indigenous contributions to Iowa archaeology in the past ~50 years. This journal is the perfect place for niche (and broad) Iowa history! www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/202...

I'm re-reading "Warrior Girl Unearthed" to prep for a radio book club convo (w/ 2 amazing Meskwaki women!). Archaeologists & museum peeps, have you read it? What stood out to you? IMO, it's a great intro to NAGPRA for anyone unfamiliar with it. And of course there's still the "but science!" crowd 🏺

Tuesdays after a holiday weekend are really just double strength Mondays

A law signed in 1966 created a system for identifying and protecting historic resources at the federal, state, and local levels. In 2021, fewer than 10% “reflect the diversity of the country’s population” of more than 96,000 places on the official list of sites deemed worthy of preservation.

Presented to kids last night & asked the usual, "What is #archaeology," expecting to hear about dinos, fossils & Indiana Jones. A 5yo NO SHIT said, "when bones or a place are under ground and can get washed around by floods" 🤯 and also "I found an artifact at my grandma's house" 😭 Kids are so cool.

👀 Ooooh... Can I be an archaeological consultant on this?! 🙏🏼🏺 www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/p...

🚨Attention #Archaeology 🏺 bsky!🚨 There is a *global* 2025-6 archaeology-themed robotics challenge involving 679,000 kids from 110+ countries. Teams are required to research archaeology & solve challenges in the field. This presents opportunities & challenges! 🧵https://tinyurl.com/2cmkjzx5 #pubarch

Got my author's copy today, was coincidentally a little matchy matchy with the cover! Looking forward to diving into the other chapters. HMU for a 30% off code! ugapress.org/book/9780820...

Got knocked out for a week with a bad flu after returning from the SAAs & my attempt at a normal Monday started with me sleeping on my phone and muffling the alarm. Glad to be feeling better but how am I supposed to function without 3 naps a day?!

Collaborative and Community Archaeology mega-session happening today from 1-5pm! We're presenting on 2 Iowa projects, including a community-driven mastodon excavation 🦣 #SAA2025

Gahhh this publisher is NOT at #SAA2025 this year so you can't pick up this book here in Denver 😭. But use code RLFANDF30 for 30% til September! If you have the book, lmk what you think about it! rowman.com/ISBN/9781538...

Not me tweaking my #SAA2025 presentation until it's exactly 2,222 words 👀. Hope to see many of you this week! 🏺

Having such strong relationships & friendships with our Tribal partners is hands-down the best part about working in Iowa. Iowa archaeology is what it is because of them.

The Iowa Archeological Society spring meeting is on 4/19 at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in SE Iowa! Anyone is welcome. See event details, registration & slate of speakers here: iowaarcheologicalsociety.org/2025-spring-... 🏺

Don't think single people get enough credit for doing life alone. Rent/mortgage is double, household responsibility and life admin is down to one person, you're your own emotional support, holidays are more expensive, you've to trap and transport human sacrifices for the solstice bonfire solo, etc.

Happy to be a part of this interview along with one of my #pubarch besties @semiller88.bsky.social!

Thanks to @killgrove.bsky.social for this interview! Ideally, leave artifacts in place. But we understand people's passion for this hobby. We encourage thorough documentation of CONTEXT & knowing where you have permission to collect! IA resources: tinyurl.com/mrme5xdr, tinyurl.com/w6ryfs99 🏺

A quick & easy way to help Archaeology in the Community get some grant funding! Scroll to bottom of linked page to see their 2 videos. Click on each, then click on big red VOTE FOR CHARITY button next to the video. That's it! www.projectforawesome.com?charity=Q7sp... 🏺 #pubarch #publicarchaeology

We're hosting a hybrid lecture on the recent Iowa mastodon find! State Archaeologist John Doershuk will present, "A Community-inspired (and Energized) Mastodon Excavation in Southern Iowa," at noon CT on February 28. More details here: events.uiowa.edu/92425 🏺

Just a 40 sec video at 2x speed of my parti poodle frolicking in this morning's fresh snow. I love that he loves snow! #dogs #poodles #iowa

An update on this saga. Apparently the owner of this Cybertruck here in my town is losing his fucking mind according to his coworkers because people keep making fun of him. Every day, he is laughed at and/or flipped off, and he is not taking it well.

LOL, never change, Iowa City. Check the thread for the update 🤣

This has been a super tough month so far full of loss & the challenges of working in public service. I'm headed back to the UK and Ireland for a break next week. Until then, I'll just continually look at this photo of my dog, because it doesn't fail to make me LOL. Savor the tiny moments of joy!

Anyone else's TikTok FYP start showing a heavy rotation of pro-Melania shit after it was "saved" and magically came back? 🤔

We lost one of the best. A mentor, friend, colleague, and teacher. This is one of those losses that will mark a "before" and "after" for many. I hated having to write this. I'll miss your wisdom, advice, musings, & our random chats about ghosts. Thank you for 10+ years of friendship. Travel well ❤️‍🩹🏺

Anyone planning on attending the 2025 Conference on Public Archaeology in DC this August? The format is primarily discussions & workshops, more long format, which is great for really getting to the meat of things! www.fpan.us/projects/202... 🏺 #PUBARCH

Starting Jan 11, check out the short video special, "Make No Bones About It," for the new Hawkeyes at Home series! We're featured discussing a selection of faunal remains and bone tools from 13PM7, a Mill Creek village site in Plymouth County, western Iowa. events.uiowa.edu/90888

My every morning before 7am. 60lbs, directly on top of me, all elbows, never still, and a little wet from the ice storm today. #poodle #dogsky

Big time crunchy outside in Iowa City right now #iawx

Accidentally put my Skype for Biz status as "12/12 WTF" this morning instead of "WFH" 🤣. Subliminal slip? Happy to give my colleagues a good chuckle.

Just went down a 🐰🕳️ with the new NCES research. In 2023, 56% of American respondents performed at either Level 1 or 2 literacy (L2 is ~3-5 grade). Don't dumb it down, but remember to keep written #pubarch, #scicomm & interpretive materials short and sweet to improve engagement! tinyurl.com/56b2yb5c