Craig Stevens is an archaeologist, curator, and Assistant Professor in the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies at The University of Texas at Austin. His work connects archaeology, digital heritage, and museum studies to reshape how African and African diasporic heritage is documented, interpreted, and shared.
His research is grounded in a framework he describes as immersive material culture—an approach that integrates 3D technologies, virtual environments, and community collaboration to transform how material culture is studied and experienced. This framework positions immersive technologies as interpretive environments that enable affective, embodied, and participatory engagement with cultural heritage. Through this approach, he develops methods that connect archaeological inquiry, digital documentation, and community knowledge to produce richer, more inclusive forms of interpretation.
He is also a Research Associate in Northwestern’s Material History Lab. He previously served as an Innovator-in-Residence in Northwestern IT’s Emerging Technologies Lab, where he developed XR research, exhibitions, and learning resources. His work spans Liberia, Nigeria, and U.S. museum collections, with support from the National Science Foundation, the Wenner-Gren Foundation, and the Buffett Dissertation Fellowship.
01Education5 entries
PhD AnthropologyNorthwestern University · Evanston, IL
Ongoing
MA Museums, Heritage and Material Culture StudiesSchool of Oriental and African Studies · London, UK
2020
MA ArchaeologyUniversity College London · London, UK
2019
BA AnthropologyAmerican University · Washington, DC
2017
AS Social SciencesTidewater Community College · Portsmouth, VA
2015
02Current appointments4 roles
Assistant Professor · Department of African and African Diaspora Studies, The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX — 2026 – Present
Develops research and teaching at the intersection of African and African diasporic studies, archaeology, material culture, and emerging technologies.
Research Associate · Material History LabEvanston, IL — 2023 – Present
Builds and maintains a 3D artifact database, leads aerial and archaeological survey in southern Nigeria, and drafts funding proposals.
Lead Researcher · Back-to-Africa Heritage and Archaeology ProjectLiberia — 2018 – Present
Surveys 19th-century settlement sites of Black American and Caribbean migrants in western Liberia and collaborates with the National Museum of Liberia on digitization and curation.
Communications Coordinator · Society of Black ArchaeologistsRemote — 2021 – Present
Leads organizational publicity for Black heritage sites and professionals; develops artist and content-producer partnerships for SBA initiatives.
Developed XR research and learning programs, curated immersive exhibitions, and built Loci as a public platform for citable community interpretation of material culture.
Researcher · Taylor Made Culture2018 – 2021
Developed museum exhibitions, interactive maps, archive submissions, a board game, and a mobile app for Negro Motorist Green Book businesses.
Research Fellow · Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service2018 – 2019
Supported the creation of traveling exhibitions; researched and procured diverse objects and media.
Archaeological Technician · Montgomery Parks & The Ottery Group2016 – 2018
Excavated a former plantation site; produced a GIS storymap for the Josiah Henson Special Park self-guided tour.
04Affiliations8 partners
The University of Texas at Austin
Material History Lab
National Museum of Liberia
Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies
05Exhibitions3 recent
Inescapable Truths: James Foley's Indelible LegacyNorthwestern University Main Library
2024
Augmented Curiosities: Virtual Play in African Pasts and FuturesHerskovits Library of African Studies
2023
Artificial IntelligentsiaNorthwestern University Main Library
