Jodie Houston

Jodie is currently working on her PhD thesis at CTSI. Boldly going where no PhD student has gone before, Jodie became interested in the world of fossils after briefly studying the illicit trade in antiquities, and discovering a similar international black market in fossils. However, the goings on in the legal market have become the main focus of the thesis, researching the range of people who are interested in fossils and why they value them: the fossil community.

Fossils are becoming much sought after commodities, with the result that scientists, private collectors, museums, tourists and traders are competing with each other for access and ownership of these scarce and sometimes unique remnants of our past. The study undertaken by Jodie has involved visits to various institutions and sites around the world and here in Australia to look at ways in which groups have approached the problem of sharing this valuable resource. The degree to which laws are in place to protect fossils varies across countries. The story is one of history, culture and networks of influence shaping the direction in which fossil protection has developed.

Jodie has a double degree, Arts/Commerce, majoring in archaeology, and Honours in Commerce, and spent 18 months working in the Australian Taxation Office, International tax, before fleeing to academia. Her hobbies include reading, as well as the more accomplished arts of fencing, dancing, and bear-baiting.

PhD thesis title

Finders, keepers: the problem of regulation in the fossil world.

Contact details

Jodie.Houston@anu.edu.au | Telephone: +61 2 6125 3293 | Fax: +61 2 6125 8503

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