Allison Mickel is the inaugural H. Bruce McEver Chair of Archaeological Science and Technologies at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the editor of the journal Advances in Archaeological Practice. She received her PhD in anthropology from Stanford University in 2016 and her BA from The College of William and Mary in 2011. Allison has excavated in Jordan, Turkey, Kenya, and the United States, and her research focuses on how local communities have impacted and been affected by archaeological work. She is the author of two books: Why Those Who Shovel are Silent, and Archaeologists as Authors and the Stories of Sites. She is now writing her third book, which investigates new strategies being used in Jordan to ensure fair labor conditions on archaeological excavations and elevate local expertise in cultural heritage. 

In addition to her scholarly work advocating for more inclusive practices in archaeology, Allison is also an active public anthropologist, writing for newspapers and online platforms, volunteering with the organization Skype a Scientist, reviewing educational material for organizations like the Boy Scouts of America, and organizing annual outreach events with local public schools for Anthropology Day. She is an avid audiobook listener, reality television viewer, native plant gardener, sparkling wine sipper, and thrift shopper. She will pet any dog anytime, anywhere, and most likely still hasn't unpacked from her last trip.