Stephen Acabado

In theSpotlight

Stephen Acabado Named New Chair of the Archaeology Program

Roz Salzman

Stephen Acabado, an associate professor of anthropology and a core faculty member of the Cotsen Institute, has been named chair of the Interdepartmental Program in Archaeology for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2022. Acabado is also director of the UCLA Center for Southeast Asian Studies, a position he will maintain during his tenure as chair.

In making the announcement, Darnell Hunt, dean of social sciences, said, “I’d like to thank all of you who have shared your thoughts with me about the most pressing needs within archaeology and about who is best situated to serve as chair for the next few years. You have aided me greatly in identifying Stephen as the colleague to lead the Archaeology Program in this moment, as we endeavor to build on excellence. I am also especially grateful to Gregson Schachner for his service as chair since 2019. Greg’s visionary leadership has served the program well over many years, and I have truly enjoyed working with him these past three.”

Schachner, also an associate professor of anthropology and a core faculty member of the Cotsen Institute, added, “I extend my congratulations to Stephen on his appointment as the next chair of the Archaeology Program. I am confident in his ability to guide the program onward and look forward to his leadership.”

“I’m looking forward to working closely with colleagues at the Cotsen Institute and the Archaeology Program,” Acabado responded. “I hope that my appointment as chair will strengthen my contributions in making archaeology at UCLA even more accessible and inclusive.”

Stephen Acabado.