Australian Theoretical Archaeology Group

AusTAG 2026

  • AUSTAG

  • Welcome to AusTAG

    The Australian Theoretical Archaeological Group (AusTAG), exists to foster critical, creative, and inclusive conversations about the role of theory in archaeology. As part of the broader international TAG movement—which includes long-established communities in the UK (1979-), the Nordic Countries (1985-), and the USA (2009-)—AusTAG aims to move beyond data collection and presentation, toward deeper, more meaningful interpretations of the human past.

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  • AusTAG 2026

    The inaugural AusTAG conference will be held at Adelaide University on 22-23 May 2026

    We will provide further updates soon.

  • Call for Papers: AusTAG 2026

    Call for Papers – AusTAG 2026

    Deadline: 2 February 2026

    Submit an abstract to the first ever Australian Theoretical Archaeology Group (AusTAG), to be held at Adelaide University!

    We are seeking papers that engage with the cutting edge of theory from across the breadth and diversity of archaeological scholarship. We encourage participants to draw not only on the “serious” world of theoretical ideas, concepts, and practices, but also on the creative, even playful sides of what theory brings to our discipline.

    One of the conversations we would like to see emerge from this conference is a better understanding of the place of Australia in global archaeological theory, and vice versa, so we strongly encourage submissions relating to archaeological studies in Australia and Oceania as well as from Australia-based scholars who work in other areas of the world. 

    Formats can be flexible. Participants should feel empowered not only to propose a standard 15-minute presentation, but also more creative multimedia or performance-based presentations. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

    • Foregrounding First Nations perspectives in Australian archaeologies
    • Ontologies for interpreting the past, present, and future
    • Multispecies perspectives on landscapes and seascapes
    • Critical feminism by and for Australian archaeologists
    • Politically engaged analyses of archaeological data, theory, and praxis
    • The impact of settler colonial legacies
    • Digital mediation of archaeological materials

    To submit a title and abstract (200 words), email James Flexner at james.flexner@sydney.edu.au with the words “AusTAG 2026 abstract submission” in the subject line.

    AusTAG will be held over two days, 22–23 May 2026, at Adelaide University. Hosted by the School of Humanities, the event is organised by a national committee and will be an in-person event only.