Bridging Oceans and Communities: A Scholarly Legacy in Maritime Archaeology and Education

Dr. Jennifer Craig’s extensive body of work spans continents and disciplines, weaving together maritime archaeology, community-based research, and transformative education. Her publications—ranging from peer-reviewed journal articles and edited volumes to government reports and interpretive materials—reflect a career deeply rooted in collaborative, heart-centered scholarship.

Across Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Indian Ocean world, Dr. Craig has authored and co-authored landmark studies on underwater cultural heritage, shipwreck cargo analysis, and bead trade networks. Her analytical rigor is matched by a commitment to elevating Indigenous perspectives, as seen in her co-edited volume Watery Connections: How Maritime Archaeology Promotes Community Involvement, which foregrounds voices from Hawai‘i, Aotearoa, India, Indonesia, and beyond.

Her publications are not confined to academic circles—they actively shape policy, pedagogy, and public understanding. From crafting interpretive frameworks for National Park Service oral history collections to developing trauma-informed educational syllabi, Dr. Craig’s work bridges archival research with lived experience. Her writing often serves as a conduit for community storytelling, particularly in projects that digitize and contextualize.

As a lead editor for major regional conferences and proceedings, she has coordinated the publication of hundreds of papers on maritime and underwater cultural heritage, mentoring authors and shaping discourse across 40+ countries. Her scholarly output is distinguished not only by its volume but by its ethical clarity, methodological innovation, and unwavering dedication to reciprocal knowledge exchange.