Charlotte Looram Email & Phone Number

New York, New York, United States

Perth, Australia

My PhD research investigates the movement of underwater cultural property at an institutional level and in private collections. It analyses the revival of the Maritime Silk Road in the 21st century as a platform for cultural diplomacy and its impact on the art market and on knowledge production about shipwrecks. I am particularly interested in questions regarding ownership, claim-making, ethical collecting practices, and the interpretation of material culture, especially transnational heritage, in political discourse and in the public sphere.As a PhD Candidate I:• Conducted a systematic literature review about the art market, institutional and private collecting practices, provenance, antiquities trafficking, and the role of museums on the international stage.• Developed a methodology to track the “afterlives” of historical shipwrecks across multiple spaces and contexts, including museums, universities, tourism, the art market, and popular culture.• Collected, managed, and analysed data about salvaged historical shipwrecks, museum collections, exhibitions, and the art market.• Created and maintained linked databases of auctions, sales, dealers, museum collections, exhibitions, publications, and other records featuring the shipwrecks and their objects.

Remote

• Conducted an investigation of the online market for Southeast Asian antiquities over 6 months to identify key actors, platforms, and locations involved in the antiquities trade in Southeast Asia.• Produced a report with an appendix of 530 objects surveyed, including the country and platform of sale, the country of origin, description, asking price, realised price, and provenance information when available.• Delivered short-term and long-term recommendations to combat the illicit trade in antiquities at a regional level.• Presented the findings at two international UNESCO conferences to disseminate findings to a broad audience of decision makers.

George Town, Penang, Malaysia

• Developed the Sia Boey Integrated Site Management Plan, which envisioned creating a public space that celebrates community, culture, and history and facilitated the coexistence of development, heritage conservation, and community needs.• Delivered the Concept Report for the Sia Boey Urban Heritage Centre of Excellence, a research and education centre that is inclusive, connected, and safe, to promote participation in civic life.• Managed the Sia Boey Contemporary Archaeology Project, including writing the project proposal, securing state funding, organising logistics, conducting field work, initiating and maintaining the database of artefacts on Airtable, and managing volunteers.• Developed new Standard Operating Procedures regarding archaeological excavations and collections management in line with international professional guidelines, including site safety, cataloguing of artefacts, data entry and records maintenance, and storage, security, and disposal of artefacts.• Assisted in consultations with stakeholders, including local government and property owners, to provide advice on archaeological matters and due diligence with respect to the local and international regulations and guidelines.• Provided technical support and input necessary for funding applications, proposal writing, and media communication.• Coordinated work with local, regional, and international organisations to deliver programmes including conferences, workshops, training, and exhibitions.

Hoi An, Vietnam

• Defined the research parameters for the Bai Ong 1 shipwreck site survey.• Supervised volunteers and students during research and training.• Conducted public outreach in the form of blog and social media posts, and presentations at conferences and public talks.

Bangkok, Bangkok City, Thailand

• Conducted online and library research on Southeast Asian underwater archaeology to compile a bibliography of resources on freshwater archaeology.• Produced a report on trends in treasure hunting in the region for decision makers within SEAMEO SPAFA.

Berkeley, Ca

Packed, photographed, and catalogued over 490 objects in preparation for the relocation of the collection during the museum’s building renovations.

Excavated buttresses, floors, gravesRecorded features and finds: photography, planning, drawingRegistered architectural finds and samplesVolunteered as a guide for the Swift Satire Festival

• Assisted Professor Katharya Um with her research on Vietnamese, Cambodia, and Laotian diasporas.• Identified and located an Indochinese repatriates’ camp (CAFI: Centre d’Acceuil des Français d’Indochine) in Sainte Livrade, France.• Organized a visit to the camp with Professor Um.• Assisted during interviews with residents.

Phd, Social Sciences

Activities and Societies: Anthropology & Sociology Postgraduate Student Representative (2021)My research investigates the link between.

Master Of Arts - Ma, Maritime Archaeology

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Anthropology And Southeast Asian Studies