Professor, Department of Philosophy
University of Washington
Biography: I am a philosopher of science who works on epistemological questions raised by archaeological practice and by feminist research in the social sciences. In Thinking from Things: Essays in the Philosophy of Archaeology (2002) I develop an analysis of the role of background knowledge and of strategies of triangulation by which archaeologists stabilize evidential claims. Here, and in analysis of feminist research practice, I am centrally interested in reconceptualizing ideals of objectivity so as to take account of the ineliminable role played by contextual values in the research process. I am also actively interested in developing models of accountable, reciprocal, and collaborative research practice relevant both to feminist research in the social sciences, and to debates about ethics issues in archaeology. I take up these issues in a series of essays on concepts of "stewardship" in archaeology and in an on-going project, developed through the University of Washington Science Studies Network (SSNet), on "democratizing science."
