Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
@ozarchaeomaglab.bsky.social
Palaeoanthropology & Geochronology Professor at La Trobe University Archaeology. Director of the Drimolen Palaeoanthropology Field School, Amanzi Springs & The Australian Archaeomagnetism Laboratory he/him
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
To add context, part of why there were so many more applicants is because they moved DECRA back six months, effectively skipping funding the scheme for a year. They had to extend eligibility as a result, so this was essentially two years in one. But with no adjustment to number of grants awarded.
November 28, 2025 at 4:51 AM
To add context, part of why there were so many more applicants is because they moved DECRA back six months, effectively skipping funding the scheme for a year. They had to extend eligibility as a result, so this was essentially two years in one. But with no adjustment to number of grants awarded.
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
Here's a report from Jenny Sinclair @jsresearchpro.bsky.social on the low success rate for DECRAs this week, driven by high demand and low Government funding for early career researchers in Australia.
[Free article in @resprofnews.bsky.social]
[Free article in @resprofnews.bsky.social]
Low success rate in early career grants ‘deeply disappointing’ - Research Professional News
“Decay continues” as Australian Research Council’s Decra scheme announces 13.1 per cent success rate
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Here's a report from Jenny Sinclair @jsresearchpro.bsky.social on the low success rate for DECRAs this week, driven by high demand and low Government funding for early career researchers in Australia.
[Free article in @resprofnews.bsky.social]
[Free article in @resprofnews.bsky.social]
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
Fascinating article! www.science.org/content/arti...
Headless bodies hint at why Europe’s first farmers vanished
Wave of mass brutality accompanied the collapse of the first pan-European culture
www.science.org
November 26, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Fascinating article! www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
Are the job losses and restructure being considered by the ARC because of this?
November 26, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Are the job losses and restructure being considered by the ARC because of this?
Wonderful to be part of this succesful ARC LIEF for building further luminesence dating infrastructure for archaeology at the University of Adelaide. Sorry to those that missed out.
November 25, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Wonderful to be part of this succesful ARC LIEF for building further luminesence dating infrastructure for archaeology at the University of Adelaide. Sorry to those that missed out.
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
We’ve all seen the evidence that ARC are already stretched. They already outsource so much admin to university research offices – duplication across all unis – & have zero capacity to inform the public about what tax-payer money is funding.
Their response? Reduce capacity further!
Utter nonsense!
Their response? Reduce capacity further!
Utter nonsense!
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
We’ve all seen the evidence that ARC are already stretched. They already outsource so much admin to university research offices – duplication across all unis – & have zero capacity to inform the public about what tax-payer money is funding.
Their response? Reduce capacity further!
Utter nonsense!
Their response? Reduce capacity further!
Utter nonsense!
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
The “consultation” process is still going. ARC staff whose positions may be lost have been informed & the union has apparently been briefed.
But the source says the rationale behind the restructure and the potential job losses is vague.
But the source says the rationale behind the restructure and the potential job losses is vague.
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
The “consultation” process is still going. ARC staff whose positions may be lost have been informed & the union has apparently been briefed.
But the source says the rationale behind the restructure and the potential job losses is vague.
But the source says the rationale behind the restructure and the potential job losses is vague.
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
ARC are considering a restructure in which jobs there will be lost, a source tells me.
This seems ridiculous when they're about to completely overhaul the entire grants system – they've never undertaken anything so large before!
I've long said ARC needs MANY MORE staff, & should do more, not less.
This seems ridiculous when they're about to completely overhaul the entire grants system – they've never undertaken anything so large before!
I've long said ARC needs MANY MORE staff, & should do more, not less.
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
ARC are considering a restructure in which jobs there will be lost, a source tells me.
This seems ridiculous when they're about to completely overhaul the entire grants system – they've never undertaken anything so large before!
I've long said ARC needs MANY MORE staff, & should do more, not less.
This seems ridiculous when they're about to completely overhaul the entire grants system – they've never undertaken anything so large before!
I've long said ARC needs MANY MORE staff, & should do more, not less.
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
#CentresOfExcellence #CE26
ARC has "postponed" announcement of Centres of Excellence outcomes!
It says "due diligence checks" are still being carried out on some applications.
www.arc.gov.au/news-publica...
ARC has "postponed" announcement of Centres of Excellence outcomes!
It says "due diligence checks" are still being carried out on some applications.
www.arc.gov.au/news-publica...
November 3, 2025 at 6:32 AM
#CentresOfExcellence #CE26
ARC has "postponed" announcement of Centres of Excellence outcomes!
It says "due diligence checks" are still being carried out on some applications.
www.arc.gov.au/news-publica...
ARC has "postponed" announcement of Centres of Excellence outcomes!
It says "due diligence checks" are still being carried out on some applications.
www.arc.gov.au/news-publica...
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
“CSIRO has announced it will slash up to 350 jobs as the national science agency grapples with long-term financial challenges … with current funding failing to keep pace with the rising costs of running a modern science agency.”
Not “challenges”. They’re choices. 😡
Not “challenges”. They’re choices. 😡
CSIRO to cut up to 350 research jobs in major overhaul
After 440 positions were slashed last year, the CSIRO has announced more staff cuts across the country in a bid to remain financially viable.
www.abc.net.au
November 18, 2025 at 6:15 AM
“CSIRO has announced it will slash up to 350 jobs as the national science agency grapples with long-term financial challenges … with current funding failing to keep pace with the rising costs of running a modern science agency.”
Not “challenges”. They’re choices. 😡
Not “challenges”. They’re choices. 😡
Long form news article in @science.org covering our latest collaborations between the Drimolen and Kromdraai teams as part of a new 4 year @Australian Research Council Discovery Grant
The world’s greatest concentration of ancestral human remains, in South Africa, poses a 2-million-year-old riddle of coexistence. scim.ag/46xvUwV
Three ancient human relatives once shared the same valley. Did they meet—and compete?
The world’s greatest concentration of ancestral human remains, in South Africa, poses a 2-million-year-old riddle of coexistence
scim.ag
July 27, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Long form news article in @science.org covering our latest collaborations between the Drimolen and Kromdraai teams as part of a new 4 year @Australian Research Council Discovery Grant
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
The world’s greatest concentration of ancestral human remains, in South Africa, poses a 2-million-year-old riddle of coexistence. scim.ag/46xvUwV
Three ancient human relatives once shared the same valley. Did they meet—and compete?
The world’s greatest concentration of ancestral human remains, in South Africa, poses a 2-million-year-old riddle of coexistence
scim.ag
July 25, 2025 at 12:35 PM
The world’s greatest concentration of ancestral human remains, in South Africa, poses a 2-million-year-old riddle of coexistence. scim.ag/46xvUwV
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
Uniform, circular, and shallow enamel pitting in hominins: Prevalence, morphological associations, and potential taxonomic significance 🏺🧪
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Remarkable consistency across species, time and geography suggests these enamel pits may be something quite interesting.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Remarkable consistency across species, time and geography suggests these enamel pits may be something quite interesting.
June 27, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Uniform, circular, and shallow enamel pitting in hominins: Prevalence, morphological associations, and potential taxonomic significance 🏺🧪
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Remarkable consistency across species, time and geography suggests these enamel pits may be something quite interesting.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Remarkable consistency across species, time and geography suggests these enamel pits may be something quite interesting.
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
2-million-year-old pitted teeth from our ancient relatives reveal secrets about human evolution theconversation.com/2-million-ye...
2-million-year-old pitted teeth from our ancient relatives reveal secrets about human evolution
Curiously uniform dimples on the teeth of ancient hominins may give scientists a new way to trace their origins and relationships.
theconversation.com
June 9, 2025 at 3:38 PM
2-million-year-old pitted teeth from our ancient relatives reveal secrets about human evolution theconversation.com/2-million-ye...
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
Uniform, circular, and shallow enamel pitting in hominins: Prevalence,
morphological associations, and potential taxonomic signals www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
morphological associations, and potential taxonomic signals www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Uniform, circular, and shallow enamel pitting in hominins: Prevalence, morphological associations, and potential taxonomic significance
This study explores a particular form of enamel pitting originally identified in Paranthropus robustus. We call this uniform, circular, and shallow (U…
www.sciencedirect.com
June 7, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Uniform, circular, and shallow enamel pitting in hominins: Prevalence,
morphological associations, and potential taxonomic signals www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
morphological associations, and potential taxonomic signals www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Worth a read for any up and coming Palaeoanthropologists about how not to behave. Let's leave this culture behind in our discipline.
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
The curse of Toumaï: an ancient skull, a disputed femur and a bitter feud over humanity’s origins
The long read: When fossilised remains were discovered in the Djurab desert in 2001, they were hailed as radically rewriting the history of our species. But not everyone was convinced – and the bitter...
www.theguardian.com
May 27, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Worth a read for any up and coming Palaeoanthropologists about how not to behave. Let's leave this culture behind in our discipline.
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
💥Job Alert!!💥
We’re seeking to appoint a permanent Assistant Professor of Archaeological Science (materials), following the retirement of Prof. Julian Henderson.
Deadline May 5th 2025.
#Archaeology #archeology #archaeologicalScience 🧪
Full details here: jobs.nottingham.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx...
We’re seeking to appoint a permanent Assistant Professor of Archaeological Science (materials), following the retirement of Prof. Julian Henderson.
Deadline May 5th 2025.
#Archaeology #archeology #archaeologicalScience 🧪
Full details here: jobs.nottingham.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx...
Job Vacancy at the University of Nottingham: Assistant Professor in Archaeological Science (Materials)
The Department of Classics and Archaeology seeks to appoint an Assistant Professor in Archaeological Science (Materials) from 1 September 2025. Following £1.6 million investment from UKRI in our Archa...
jobs.nottingham.ac.uk
April 7, 2025 at 2:36 PM
💥Job Alert!!💥
We’re seeking to appoint a permanent Assistant Professor of Archaeological Science (materials), following the retirement of Prof. Julian Henderson.
Deadline May 5th 2025.
#Archaeology #archeology #archaeologicalScience 🧪
Full details here: jobs.nottingham.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx...
We’re seeking to appoint a permanent Assistant Professor of Archaeological Science (materials), following the retirement of Prof. Julian Henderson.
Deadline May 5th 2025.
#Archaeology #archeology #archaeologicalScience 🧪
Full details here: jobs.nottingham.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx...
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
🏺 There is actually a perfume range called "Neanderthal" and it's gorgeous - I did a book giveaway with them!
(also I would totally be up for a real Viking scent)
(also I would totally be up for a real Viking scent)
April 1, 2025 at 7:48 AM
🏺 There is actually a perfume range called "Neanderthal" and it's gorgeous - I did a book giveaway with them!
(also I would totally be up for a real Viking scent)
(also I would totally be up for a real Viking scent)
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
Guardian Australia @australia.theguardian.com reporting on the proposed changes to the ARC grants system.
There’s concern that getting rid of standalone fellowships will have lots of unintended consequences, especially for Early-Career Researchers.
By @donnadlu.bsky.social
There’s concern that getting rid of standalone fellowships will have lots of unintended consequences, especially for Early-Career Researchers.
By @donnadlu.bsky.social
Changes to ARC grants will make it harder for Australia to combat Trump chaos, researchers warn
Plan to cut most standalone positions in favour of shorter fellowships will hurt international recruitment, critics say
www.theguardian.com
April 1, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Guardian Australia @australia.theguardian.com reporting on the proposed changes to the ARC grants system.
There’s concern that getting rid of standalone fellowships will have lots of unintended consequences, especially for Early-Career Researchers.
By @donnadlu.bsky.social
There’s concern that getting rid of standalone fellowships will have lots of unintended consequences, especially for Early-Career Researchers.
By @donnadlu.bsky.social
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
We are happy to share our pre-print on dating bone using a novel non-destructive protocol we developed. The paper is on the Biorxiv here (Luftensteiner et al. 2025):
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Non-destructive radiocarbon dating of bone
Since the 1950s, radiocarbon measurements have anchored archaeological chronologies dating back to 50,000 years, with bone collagen being a commonly dated material. Despite advances in collagen extrac...
www.biorxiv.org
March 29, 2025 at 3:05 PM
We are happy to share our pre-print on dating bone using a novel non-destructive protocol we developed. The paper is on the Biorxiv here (Luftensteiner et al. 2025):
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
I received a heartbreaking email today: A paper in a special issue I’m editing is being retracted because one of its authors is afraid of losing their job and their legal status in the U.S. if they publish a scientific study on evolution. Yes, on evolution, nature's engine of diversity.
March 29, 2025 at 11:52 PM
I received a heartbreaking email today: A paper in a special issue I’m editing is being retracted because one of its authors is afraid of losing their job and their legal status in the U.S. if they publish a scientific study on evolution. Yes, on evolution, nature's engine of diversity.
Latest paper out from the Drimolen team about the ~2 million year old DNH 43 Paranthropus pelvis from Drimolen Cave in South Africa. @ltuarchaeology.bsky.social
Analysis of an understudied 2-million-year-old fossil pelvis from the site of Drimolen, South Africa provides additional insights into the anatomy of early human relatives. doi.org/10.17159/saj... @caleyorr.bsky.social @ozarchaeomaglab.bsky.social
March 29, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Latest paper out from the Drimolen team about the ~2 million year old DNH 43 Paranthropus pelvis from Drimolen Cave in South Africa. @ltuarchaeology.bsky.social
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
Analysis of an understudied 2-million-year-old fossil pelvis from the site of Drimolen, South Africa provides additional insights into the anatomy of early human relatives. doi.org/10.17159/saj... @caleyorr.bsky.social @ozarchaeomaglab.bsky.social
March 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Analysis of an understudied 2-million-year-old fossil pelvis from the site of Drimolen, South Africa provides additional insights into the anatomy of early human relatives. doi.org/10.17159/saj... @caleyorr.bsky.social @ozarchaeomaglab.bsky.social
Reposted by Andy I.R. Herries at La Trobe Archaeoogy
New paper from my lab & Drimolen team (@ozarchaeomaglab.bsky.social) on the DNH 43 hominin pelvis. I first saw it in 2019. Given the importance of the pelvis in the evolution of human locomotion and birth, I was surprised only a basic description had been published. 1/ #paleoanthropology 🏺🧪
Analysis of an understudied 2-million-year-old fossil pelvis from the site of Drimolen, South Africa provides additional insights into the anatomy of early human relatives. doi.org/10.17159/saj... @caleyorr.bsky.social @ozarchaeomaglab.bsky.social
March 27, 2025 at 4:21 PM
New paper from my lab & Drimolen team (@ozarchaeomaglab.bsky.social) on the DNH 43 hominin pelvis. I first saw it in 2019. Given the importance of the pelvis in the evolution of human locomotion and birth, I was surprised only a basic description had been published. 1/ #paleoanthropology 🏺🧪