Caroline Spry

Dr Caroline Spry is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Archaeology and History at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.

Caroline is lead and co-investigator of archaeological research projects with First Peoples communities, universities, museums, government agencies and industry partners. Her research has been funded by the Australian Government, universities, foundations and government agencies.

Caroline's research spans the last ~40,000 years in southeastern Australia, Papua New Guinea and South Africa. Her PhD investigates First Peoples’ technological responses to environmental change during and after the last Ice Age at Lake Mungo in a World Heritage-listed area. Her research interests include stone tools, culturally modified trees, and working in partnership with First Peoples communities to combine traditional cultural knowledge with Western scientific methods.

Caroline has presented at international conferences and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals including The Holocene, Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Lithic Technology, Journal of Lithic Studies, Australian Archaeology, Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, and Historical Records of Australian Science. She is on the Editorial Advisory Board for the Australian Archaeology journal, and Excavations, Surveys and Heritage Management in Victoria. She also writes for The Conversation.

Caroline is a recipient of the Australian Archaeological Association’s Bruce Veitch Award for Excellence in Indigenous Collaboration, Laila Haglund Prize for Excellence in Consultancy, and Best Paper in Victorian Consulting Archaeology.

Caroline is a listed Heritage Advisor under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic.). Caroline is also an invited expert for the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Register of Experts.