Leah Acheson Roberts

I am a PhD student at the Institute of Archaeology, UCL. My doctoral research explores contemporary sculpture as a resource for communicating archaeology in museums. I examine how contemporary sculpture can - by representing concepts, themes, and materials not usually found in the museum environment - lead to an enhanced public experience of the record, practice and theory of archaeology.

I am currently Honourary Academic Curator at Manchester Museum - for the duration of a collaborative project with the Syrian sculptor, Zahed Taj-Eddin. We have recently installed an artistic intervention, 'Shabtis: Suspended Truth' in the Museum's Ancient World galleries. 

With Dr Colin Sterling, I coordinate the Research Network 'Archaeology / Heritage / Art' based at the Institute of Archaeology, UCL. This network examines the varied ways in which archaeology, heritage and art converge across a broad range of concepts and practices, from artistic interventions in museum spaces to archaeological interpretations which deploy and take inspiration from contemporary art.

I worked as Post Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Masters course, 'Managing Museums' at the Institute of Archaeology for the 2015/16 and 2016/17 academic years. I am also a British Museum Volunteer, working in the Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas.

Previously, I studied for a MA in Public Archaeology and BA in Archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology, UCL. I also achieved a Foundation Diploma in Fine Art at Byam Shaw School of Art (Central Saint Martins).
Supervisors: Dr. Gabriel Moshenska and Prof. Sue Hamilton
Address: Institute of Archaeology, UCL
31-34 Gordon Square
London WC1H 0PY