JCU > Research Portfolio > Prof Sean Ulm

About

Sean’s research focuses on persistent problems in the archaeology of northern Australia and the western Pacific where understanding the relationships between environmental change and cultural change using advanced studies of archaeological and palaeoenvironmental sequences are central to constructions of the human past. His priority has been to develop new tools to investigate and articulate co-variability and co-development of human and natural systems.

A major strand of this research has been in the field of archaeological science, where Sean leads integrated research programmes designed to improve methods used to establish chronologies and taphonomic sequences to increase confidence in data resolution underpinning models of past human behaviour. This ongoing work refines chronologies of human occupation in tropical coastal areas and allows calibration of archaeological datasets with terrestrial environmental records, creating the potential for much closer integration of these two key sources of information. Sean has applied these understandings to key archaeological issues, including establishing correlations between archaeological and climate records in northern Australia and evaluating the evidence for Polynesian voyaging to the Americas.

His publications include more than 100 articles on the archaeology of Australia and 5 books. Sean has conducted research in Australia, Honduras, Chile, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.

Interests

Professional

Professional development
Professional accreditation
Benchmarking

Research

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander archaeology
Archaeology of New Guinea and Pacific Islands
Archaeology of the Great Barrier Reef
Archaeological science
Coastal and island archaeology
Radiocarbon dating of marine materials
Impacts of people on new environments
Cultural heritage management and climate change

Teaching

Improving archaeology teaching and learning
Problem-based learning
Research-led teaching

Experience

2019 to present - Distinguished Professor, James Cook University (Cairns)
2016 to 2018 - Professor, James Cook University (Cairns)
2013 to 2017 - ARC Future Fellow, James Cook University (Cairns)
2013 to 2015 - Associate Professor/ARC Future Fellow, James Cook University (Cairns)
2011 to 2012 - Lecturer, James Cook University (Cairns)
2010 to 2011 - Senior Lecturer, The University of Queensland (Brisbane)
2005 to 2010 - Lecturer, The University of Queensland (Brisbane)
1999 to 2005 - Senior Researcher, The University of Queensland (Brisbane)
2000 to 2004 - Lecturer, The University of New England (Brisbane)
1993 to 1998 - Researcher, The University of Queensland (Brisbane)

Research Disciplines

Socio-Economic Objectives

Honours

Awards

2018 - JCU Distinguished Professor
2017 - Rhys Jones Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Australian Archaeology
2014 - The Bruce Veitch Award for Excellence in Indigenous Engagement
2008 - Life Membership for Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Archaeological Association Inc.
2007 - Martin Davies Award for Best Public Archaeology Initiative
2004 - Dean’s Commendation for Outstanding Research Higher Degree Thesis, The University of Queensland
2000 - Royal Society of Queensland – Colliver Prize
1995 - University Medal, The University of Queensland

Fellowships

2017 - Honorary Fellow, School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia
2015 - Fellow, Australian Academy of the Humanities
2011 - Fellow, Cairns Institute
2011 - Fellow, Society of Antiquaries of London
2007 - Honorary Research Fellow, Queensland Museum
2013 to 2017 - Future Fellow, Australian Research Council
2011 to 2014 - Honorary Senior Fellow, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, The University of Queensland

Memberships

2018 - International Council for Archaeozoology
2017 - Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA) Australia Inc.
2014 - The Prehistoric Society
2011 - Centre for Language and Culture Research
2011 - Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science
2006 - Society for American Archaeology
2003 - Australasian Institute of Maritime Archaeology
2003 - Archaeological and Anthropological Society of Victoria
2002 - Australasian Quaternary Association
2002 - Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology
2002 - Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association
2001 - Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc.
2000 - Royal Society of Queensland
1998 - Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
1992 - World Archaeological Congress
1989 - Australian Archaeological Association

Other

2018 - Member, 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) Research Evaluation Committee (REC) for Humanities and Creative Arts Committee (HCA)
2017 - Theme Leader, Cultural and Linguistic Transformations, The Cairns Institute
2016 - Deputy Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage
2014 - Editorial Board, Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society
2013 - Editorial Board, The Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology
2013 - Editorial Board, Journal of the Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists
2010 - Editorial Board, Queensland Historical Atlas
2006 - Member, World Archaeological Congress Code of Ethics Committee
1999 - Editor, Queensland Archaeological Research
2018 to 2022 - Chair, Scientific Committee, 2022 International Council of Archaeozoology Conference
2015 to 2016 - Deputy Chair, Humanities and Creative Arts (HCA), Australian Research Council (ARC) College of Experts
2013 to 2016 - Fellow, Australian Research Council (ARC) College of Experts
2012 to 2016 - Deputy Director, Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science
2011 to 2014 - Editorial Advisory Board, Australian Archaeology
2011 to 2013 - National Chair, Australian National Committee for Archaeology Teaching and Learning
2003 to 2013 - Representative, Southeastern Asia and the Pacific, World Archaeological Congress
2011 to 2012 - Convenor, Archaeology and Geoscience Specialist Committee, Australian Institute of Nuclear Sciences and Engineering
2006 to 2011 - Editor, Australian Archaeology
2008 to 2010 - Member, Archaeology and Geoscience Specialist Committee, Australian Institute of Nuclear Sciences and Engineering
2003 to 2008 - Managing Editor, The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education
2002 to 2003 - President, Australian Archaeological Association

Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

Astrup P, Skriver C, Benjamin J, Stankiewicz F, Ward I, McCarthy J, Ross P, Baggaley P, Ulm S and Bailey G (in press) Underwater shell middens: excavation and remote sensing of a submerged Mesolithic site at Hjarnø, Denmark. Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology,
Bird M, Condie S, O'Connor S, O'Grady D, Reepmeyer C, Ulm S, Zega M, Saltré F and Bradshaw C (2019) Early human settlement of Sahul was not an accident. Scientific Reports, 9.
Bradshaw C, Ulm S, Williams A, Bird M, Roberts R, Jacobs Z, Laviano F, Weyrich L, Friedrich T, Norman K and Saltré F (2019) Minimum founding populations for the first peopling of Sahul. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 3. pp. 1057-1063
Dougherty A, Thomas Z, Fogwill C, Hogg A, Palmer J, Rainsley E, Williams A, Ulm S, Rogers K, Jones B and Turney C (2019) Redating the earliest evidence of the mid-Holocene relative sea-level highstand in Australia and implications for global sea-level rise. PLoS ONE, 14 (7).
Moss P, Ulm S, Mackenzie L, Wallis L, Rosendahl D and Steinberger L (2019) Robust local vegetation records from dense archaeological shell matrixes: a palynological analysis of the Thundiy shell deposit, Bentinck Island, Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 11 (2). pp. 511-520
Rowe C, David B, Mialanes J, Ulm S, Petchey F, Aird S, McNiven I, Leavesley M and Richards T (in press) A Holocene record of savanna vegetation dynamics in southern lowland Papua New Guinea. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany,
Veth P, McDonald J, Ward I, O'leary M, Beckett E, Benjamin J, Ulm S, Hacker J, Ross P and Bailey G (in press) A strategy for assessing continuity in terrestrial and maritime landscapes from Murujuga (Dampier Archipelago), North West Shelf, Australia. Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology,
Bird M, Beaman R, Condie S, Cooper A, Ulm S and Veth P (2018) Palaeogeography and voyage modeling indicates early human colonization of Australia was likely from Timor-Roti. Quaternary Science Reviews, 191. pp. 431-439
Disspain M, Ulm S, Draper N, Newchurch J, Fallon S and Gillanders B (2018) Long-term archaeological and historical archives for mulloway, Argyrosomus japonicus, populations in eastern South Australia. Fisheries Research, 205. pp. 1-10
Fitzpatrick A, McNiven I, Specht J and Ulm S (2018) Stylistic analysis of stone arrangements supports regional cultural interactions along the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Australian Archaeology, 84 (2). pp. 129-144
Kenady S, Lowe K, Ridd P and Ulm S (2018) Creating volume estimates for buried shell deposits: a comparative experimental case study using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity under varying soil conditions. Archaeological Prospection, 21 (2). pp. 121-136
Kenady S, Lowe K and Ulm S (2018) Determining the boundaries, structure and volume of buried shell matrix deposits using ground-penetrating radar: a case study from northern Australia. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 17. pp. 538-549

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 133+ research outputs authored by Prof Sean Ulm from 1995 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Australian Research Council - Centres of Excellence

ARC Centre of Excellence of Australian Origins and Transformations

Indicative Funding: $4,914,000 over 7 years (administered by University of Wollongong)
Summary: This Centre will create a world-class interdisciplinary research programme to understand Australia's unique biodiversity and heritage. The Centre will track the changes to Australia's environment to examine the processes responsible for the changes and the lessons that can be used to continue to adapt to Australia's changing environment. The Centre will support connections between the sciences and humanities and train future generations of researchers to deal with future global challenges and inform policy in an interdisciplinary context.
Investigators: Richard Roberts, Susan O'Connor, Jennie Lawson, Zenobia Jacobs, Timothy Cohen, Simon Haberle, Michael Bird, Sean Ulm, Chris Turney, Martin Nakata, Darren Curnoe, Alan Cooper, Corey Bradshaw, Laura Weyrich, Bruno David, Lynette Russell, Barry Brook and Chris Johnson in collaboration with Brit Asmussen, Chantal Knowles, Robin Torrence, Michael Slack, Jean-Jacques Delannoy, Matthew Leavesley, Gifford Miller, Stephan Stephan and Michael Storey (University of Wollongong, Australian National University, College of Science & Engineering, College of Arts, Society & Education, The University of New South Wales, Indigenous Education & Research Centre, University of Adelaide, Monash University, University of Tasmania, Queensland Museum, Australian Museum, Scarp Archaeology Pty Ltd, Universite de Savoie, University of Papua New Guinea, University of Colorado - Boulder, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History and Natural History Museum of Denmark)
Keywords: Sahul; palaeoenvironments; Climate; archaeology; megafauna

Australian Research Council - Discovery - Projects

The Deep History of Sea Country: climate, sea level and culture

Indicative Funding: $60,000 over 3 years (administered by Flinders University)
Summary: This is a pioneering, multi-disciplinary study of submerged landscape archaeology in Australia designed to investigate the records of the now-submerged Pilbara coast (spanning 50,000 to 7000 years ago). Information from drowned contexts will help address critical debates in Australian prehistory relating to past sea-level rise, population resilience, mobility, and diet. The project integrates cultural and environmental studies and contributes a unique southern hemisphere insight into world prehistory through material analysis and an adaptation of method from the world?s only confirmed submarine middens. A suite of cutting edge marine and aerial survey techniques will be developed to investigate physical and cultural submerged landscapes.
Investigators: Jonathan Benjamin, Sean Ulm, Peter Veth, Jorg Hacker and Michael O'Leary in collaboration with Geoffrey Bailey and Mads Holst (Flinders University, College of Arts, Society & Education, The University of Western Australia, University of York and Aarhus Universitet)
Keywords: submerged archaeology; Maritime Archaeology; shell middens; Indigenous Australian archaeology; Coastal Archaeology

Australian Research Council - Linkage - Infrastructure (L-IEF)

A national facility for the analysis of pyrogenic carbon

Indicative Funding: $358,031
Summary: This project will develop a National Facility for Pyrogenic Carbon Analysis. Pyrogenic carbon (biochar, soot, charcoal, black carbon) is a poorly constrained, slow-cycling terrestrial carbon pool with significant carbon sequestration potential. It is also an important source of palaeoenvironmental and geochronological information. We will expand newly developed hydrogen pyrolysis analytical capability to provide high throughput, robust, measurement of the abundance and isotope (13C, 14C) composition of pyrogenic carbon in soils and sediments. The facility will advance multiple research agendas at nine participating institutions across palaeoecology, geomorphology, geochronology, archaeology and carbon cycle/ sequestration science
Investigators: Michael Bird, Sean Ulm, Timothy Cohen, Richard Roberts, Zenobia Jacobs, Lindsay Hutley, Balwant Singh, Hamish McGowan, Patrick Moss, Jessica Reeves, Simon Haberle, Susan O'Connor, Scott Mooney, Chris Turney and Michael-Shawn Fletcher (College of Science & Engineering, College of Arts, Society & Education, University of Wollongong, Charles Darwin University, The University of Sydney, The University of Queensland, Federation University, Australian National University, The University of New South Wales and The University of Melbourne)
Keywords: biomass burning; Stable Isotope Analysis; Geoarchaeology; Radiocarbon; Biochar; Carbon Sequestration

Australian Research Council - Discovery - Future Fellowships

Developing accurate trans-holocene coastal and ocean chronologies: Resolving fundamental problems in the dating of marine shell in the tropics

Indicative Funding: $699,593 over 5 years
Summary: Archaeological and quaternary science in tropical Australasia is heavily reliant on radiocarbon (14C) ages on marine materials. However, radiocarbon ages obtained on marine samples are not directly comparable to contemporaneous terrestrial samples owing to variability in the way 14C is distributed in marine environments (the 'marine reservoir effect'). Marine reservoir effects are highly variable and can introduce uncertainties of up to several hundred years into ages obtained on marine samples, creating a key obstacle for advancing archaeological, sea-level and climate change research. This project establishes a reliable model of marine reservoir effects across tropical Australasia that can be used to calibrate marine 14C ages.
Investigators: Sean Ulm (College of Arts and Society & Education)
Keywords: Archaeology; Radiocarbon Dating; marine reservoir effect

Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

Environmental Change and Anthropogenic Fire in northern Australia during the late Holocene (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Engineered Land and Seascapes: Using UAVs and Photogrammetry to Investigate Kaiadilt Aboriginal Stone-Walled Intertidal Fish traps in the South Wellesley Islands, Gulf of Carpentaria (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Old Smithfield Township, Cairns,1876-1879: revealing the material life of a nineteenth-century town in Tropical North Queensland. (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Kaiadilt Country: A Remote Sensing Approach to Documenting Long-Term Aboriginal land management technologies (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Applying Chronometric Quality Standards to Evaluate the Precision and Accuracy of Data from Archaeological Sites in Torres Strait (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Ancient Ceramics at Vilabouly: Pottery Productions and Society in a Prehistoric Mining Community in Laos. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Multi-proxy evidence for long-term environmental change in northern Australian tropical savannas (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

Completed

The Cyclone Written Into Our Place : The cyclone as trope of apocalypse and place in Queensland literature. (2018, PhD , Advisor Mentor)
Health, diet and migration prior to the establishment of the pre-Angkorian civilisation of Southeast Asia (2014, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
The application of ecological models and trophic analyses to archaeological marine fauna assemblages: towards improved understanding of prehistoric marine fisheries and ecosystems in tropical Australia (2016, PhD , Primary Advisor)
A novel application of sclerochronology: forging new understandings of Aboriginal occupation in the South Wellesley Archipelago, Gulf of Carpentaria (2016, PhD , Primary Advisor)
Geophysical explorations of archaeological shell matrix sites: evaluating geophysical techniques in determining the boundaries, structure and volume of buried shell deposits (2017, PhD , Primary Advisor)

Data

These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit the JCU Research Data Catalogue.

Kenady, S. (2016) Thundiy and Cairns experimental site, survey data: ground-penetrating radar and electrical resistivity. James Cook University
Twaddle, R. (2016) Temperature data from Mirdidingki Creek, Bentinck Island, June 2013 - July 2014. James Cook University
Ulm, S. (2012) Index of Dates from Archaeological Sites in Queensland data. James Cook University

Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.