Travis Shaw
Kitchener
Summary
Knowledgeable field archaeologist with a passion for community outreach, heritage conservation and digital media education. Coming from an international research environment, I have experience as an intern in a number of archaeological projects and working professionally abroad. Looking to apply and develop my skills as an academic researcher, field technician and team member in an entry level role within the fields of heritage and archaeology.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Social Media Manager
Chlorakas-Palloures Archaeological Project
06.2023 - Current
- Managing multiple social media profiles across various platforms. Ensuring year-round creative coverage of the project's archaeological fieldwork activities and scientific outcomes.
- Generating informative content relevant to the project's public outreach goals. Posting self-made photographs and videos on a scheduled basis, also in accordance with published research information.
- Organizing educational programs and events for local community members in Cyprus and the Netherlands to experience and engage with archaeological work. Promoting special events through social media, answering public inquiries and overseeing merchandise sales.
- Curated a temporary archaeological exhibit of materials and photographs from the site at the local community centre in Chlorakas.
Archaeological Lab Technician (Student Intern)
Leiden University - (Chlorakas-Palloures Project)
06.2024 - 08.2024
- Returned to work with the finds processing team at the Chlorakas-Palloures excavation's field lab for a second season. This time taking on a larger role as head of ground stone artifact processing.
- Worked with excavation database, documenting and cataloguing incoming finds. Also organized storage of artifacts from previous seasons. All the while keeping track of the current season's assemblage in order to write a full final report.
- Gave several informative talks to team members working in the field about how to identify and handle stone artifacts safely. Also contributed to the season's public outreach day at the local community centre, speaking to guests about the site.
- Created a final report on the season's ground stone assemblage using data from my own processing work, submitted to the antiquities department and regional museum.
Committee Secretary (Volunteer)
Leiden Archaeological Study Association (L.A.S)
09.2021 - 06.2024
- Assisted running study association in a volunteering role as secretary to the board and several special committee groups during my time as a student.
- Facilitated regular meetings and organized events for the Experimental Archaeology committee and the committee for Prehistoric Northwestern European Archaeology. This included managing a special events budget and scheduling monthly educational activities such as workshops and symposiums for staff and students to participate in.
- Helped encourage new students in the faculty, to join the study association and participate in upcoming events through creating social media posts and flyers.
Archaeological Lab Technician (Student Intern)
Leiden University (Chlorakas-Palloures Project)
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Selected to work as part of the dedicated finds processing team at the field laboratory of the Chlorakas-Palloures excavation in Cyprus. Also hired to manage the project's social media presence.
- Worked with the excavation's digital database to document and catalogue backlogged and new incoming finds from the site.
- Trained by an associate specialist in Cypriot geology and Chalcolithic stone artifacts, I conducted microscopic use-wear analysis of hundreds of differing stone tools and artifacts.
- Handling artifact processing also meant learning how to clean, dry, take measurements and record all physical properties and interpretations accurately in the finds database. This work culminated in helping the associate specialist write a report on the ground stone assemblage, that would be sent to the national department of antiquities and regional museum.
Museum Assistant (Volunteer)
Muskoka Heritage Place
05.2023 - 06.2023
- Organized entries in the museum's collections database; added descriptive information to old entries, reconfigured artifact categories and digitized photographs.
- Sorted artifacts held in the depository and accession to appropriate storage locations within the museum.
- Shadowed the curator, learning about their job and other organizational roles within the museum.
- Helped develop ideas for ongoing museum projects and events.
Archaeological Field Technician (Student Intern)
Leiden University - Faculty of Archaeology
06.2022 - 06.2022
- Conducted preliminary surveying and documentation of excavated features as part of an ongoing project by the University of Leiden in the south of the Netherlands.
- Excavated cremated remains and settlement features associated with the late bronze age burial mound complex site of Oss.
- Used GPS instruments for measuring trenches, dug test pits, cleaned profile walls and floors for field drawings. Documented excavation findings through daily reports, and learnt how to identify, record and collect artifacts such as bone, wood and ceramics in situ.
Student Council Representative
Leiden University, Faculty of Archaeology
09.2022 - 06.2023
- Elected to represent student body as an advisor to the Faculty Council of Archaeology. Learnt about university administration and organization.
- Conveyed feedback, concerns and questions regarding the faculty's policies, decisions and overall student experience during regular meetings with faculty board of directors.
- Helped organize 'open house' panel events where faculty members could speak freely to council members about their concerns or suggestions.
Student Orientation Leader
Orientation Week Leiden (O.W.L)
08.2022 - 08.2024
- Recurring guide for Leiden University's international student orientation week in August 2022, January 2023, August 2023 and August 2024.
- Guided groups of incoming students to various activities and programs throughout the city. Kept track of daily attendance, looking out for participants safety and giving general advice on living in a new country.
- Gave enthusiastic self curated walking tours of Leiden, showcasing different historic sites, monuments, buildings and districts whilst providing knowledgeable information on local culture and history.
Research Assistant (Student Intern)
Masamuda Archaeological Education
07.2022 - 07.2022
- Contributed to an ongoing experimental research project at the Masamuda Late Neolithic House Reconstruction site .
- Conducted observational research on reconstructed neolithic tools and materials by documenting traces of use-wear shown after usage.
- Handled reconstructed tools such as stone adzes, wood and bone drills, as well as attended to the maintenance of a dug-out neolithic canoe. Learnt about the application of experimental archaeology in understanding how to identify certain types of use-wear and manipulation of materials from the past.
Project Assistant (Student Intern)
Leiden Inventory Depot Project (LID)
04.2022 - 06.2022
- Assisted professor in documenting, photographing and sorting collections of pottery sherds stored in Leiden University's Faculty of Archaeology's material depository.
- Experienced working in an archaeological depot, navigating archival database as well as physical storage containers.
- Handled delicate archaeological materials, carried boxes of ceramics, sorted by hand and taking measurements for database.
Camp Counselor
Camp Muskoka
06.2019 - 08.2019
- Worked with children of varying ages' interests, skills, and developmental levels. Acting as a positive role model, encouraging camper participation and enjoyment.
- Ensured camper safety by enforcing camp rules, supervising outdoor group activities, and responding promptly to incidents or concerns.
- Organized and facilitated camp activities such as arts & crafts, field sports and natural education for campers. Was awarded 'Counselor of the Year' award.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Archaeology
Leiden University
Leiden, Netherlands11-2024
High School Diploma -
Sherwood Secondary School
Hamilton, Ontario06-2021
Skills
- Database creation/ management (Excel & Access)
- Material processing, Microscopic analysis & Documentation
- Artefact handling
- Community events planning & Organizing
- Public outreach & Social media curation
- Fieldwork documentation & excavating
- Team collaboration in site preservation & public education
Languages
English
Native language
French
Upper intermediate
B2
Timeline
Archaeological Lab Technician (Student Intern)
Leiden University - (Chlorakas-Palloures Project)
06.2024 - 08.2024
Social Media Manager
Chlorakas-Palloures Archaeological Project
06.2023 - Current
Archaeological Lab Technician (Student Intern)
Leiden University (Chlorakas-Palloures Project)
06.2023 - 08.2023
Museum Assistant (Volunteer)
Muskoka Heritage Place
05.2023 - 06.2023
Student Council Representative
Leiden University, Faculty of Archaeology
09.2022 - 06.2023
Student Orientation Leader
Orientation Week Leiden (O.W.L)
08.2022 - 08.2024
Research Assistant (Student Intern)
Masamuda Archaeological Education
07.2022 - 07.2022
Archaeological Field Technician (Student Intern)
Leiden University - Faculty of Archaeology
06.2022 - 06.2022
Project Assistant (Student Intern)
Leiden Inventory Depot Project (LID)
04.2022 - 06.2022
Committee Secretary (Volunteer)
Leiden Archaeological Study Association (L.A.S)
09.2021 - 06.2024
Camp Counselor
Camp Muskoka
06.2019 - 08.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Archaeology
Leiden University
High School Diploma -
Sherwood Secondary School
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