Archaeology, University of Leicester
Thesis title:
One in every 206 people are without a home in England (Shelter, 2021). Almost unanimously (95%), the UK public agree this is a serious problem; yet, 29% would ignore a homeless individual, often attributing their situation to drug abuse (Crisis 2021; Oxfordshire Community Foundation 2021). Modern western thinking presents having a permanent static home as the norm, resulting in the dehumanisation of those without a home. But the archaeological record shows that humans have a long history of being migratory, nomadic, and occupying temporary homes.
This project will tackle the attitudes and societal preconceptions of those experiencing homelessness in modern society through the deconstruction of previous connections between being housed and being human. The research takes inspiration from nomadic theory (Braidotti 2011) and Posthuman Feminist notions of Care as a theoretical methodology to deconstruct the modern stereotypes to how humans experience ‘home’.
The objective of this research is to theorise what it means to have no fixed home; explore how archaeology operates as a form of storytelling about being human; and investigate whether drawing connections between these archaeological knowledges(s) of historical ‘un-housed’ communities and present vulnerable communities can deconstruct assumptions regarding “homelessness” – and ultimately what it means to be human in relation to the concept of a fixed home.
López Aceves, J., Molloy, B., Graham, J., Eriksen, M., H., Mol, E., Pétursdóttir, Þ., Sequeira, J., Casimiro, T., Accinelli Obando, A., Johnson, M., 2025. These words are my own: Archaeological Theory in Dialect, Cambridge Archaeological Journal (in review).
Molloy, B., 2022: Trailing Behind or Taking Strides? An Investigation into the Decolonisation of Archaeological Material in the Museum, Kleos ‐ Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology 5, 58‐74.
Upcoming:
Theoretical Archaeology Group (TAG) Conference 2025, University of York - session co-organiser: "“In theory it was a great idea”: The Challenges of Practical Archaeological Action in the Real World"
Contemporary and Historical Archaeology Theory (CHAT) Boxto 2025, Bilbao - co-authoured paper: "Excavating Inwards: Archaeology and Emotions"
Previous:
The Conference of STUFF SAAH and Museum Studies PGR Conference 2025, University of Leicester - Hybrid - organising committee
Theoretical Archaeology Group (TAG) Conference 2024, Bournemouth University - session co-organiser: "Language and Discomfort". paper: "Phenomenology without the Fluff: How such a long word can produce more inclusive community engagement with archaeology", co-authored paper: "No, but my mates do! Considering the Necessity of Communities of Care to Actualise Anger-driven Activism"
Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference (TRAC) Bodies Workshop 2024 - Online - poster presentation: "Bodies In and Out of Archaeology", Lisa Lodwick Award winner
Digging Deeper SAAH PGR Conference 2024, University of Leicester - Hybrid - speaker and organising commitee
Theoretical Archaeology Group (TAG) Conference 2023, University of East Anglia - session co-organiser: "Archaeological Theory in Dialect", paper: "Unsettled Materialities As (Other) Foundations of Settlements"
Consuming the Past Symposium 2023, Athens - paper: "Clandestine Consumption and Contemporary Crises: A posthuman feminist perspective on consumption"
When I Dare To Be Powerful Conference 2023, Nottingham Trent University - organising committee
Spreading the Word: SAAH PGR Conference 2023, University of Leicester - speaker and organising committee
Narrative and Storytelling in Archaeology (NASTA) 2022 - Hybrid - speaker and organising committee
Materiality Matters 2020, University of Amsterdam - Online - speaker and organising committee
EAA Sense and Sustainability 2019 - Poster presentation
Placement with Archaeology Scotland, 2024. Ongoing voluntary work.
Befriending and Activities Volunteer at Washington Court Trident Reach Emergency Housing, 2022-2024.
Committee member of the School of Archaeology and Ancient History's Research Seminar Programme, 2022-2023.
Associate Fellowship of the Society for Higher Education
Centre for Homelessness Impact Research Network
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists - Practitioner
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