Audrey Birch

Background

About Audrey Birch

As a VCU student I have gained a multitude of experiences. In attending a university that promotes diversity added to my ability to recognize and understand the importance of diverse peoples and experiences. In the anthropology department I've learned many of the basic components of anthropology and to be an anthropologist, but also recognizing the massive application of my degree. I have used it in working in a diverse community, understanding values outside my view, and how anthropology is in everything we do. At VCU I have had the opportunity to work in the Virtual Curation Lab. I worked first as a Virtual Research Assistant in studying and drawing sketches of graves in Hollywood Cemetery. I gained the ability to work with Sketchfab, but also researching through online databases tracing history. I'm also working as an intern at the lab to research the South American artifacts in the VCU collection. I am using Sketchfab and resources through VCU to understand these artifacts. Lastly, I am working with Dr. Matthew Pawlowicz as a Research Assistant. I am providing aid to Dr. Pawlowicz in using his survey data from Zambia to create maps in ArcGIS and potentially tracing ancient paths at the archaeological sites surveyed. This work allows for me to gain an experience in the analyzation work that archaeologists need to do after being in the field. As well, working with Dr. Pawlowicz is eye-opening in being able to participate in work that is new and important for me to understand.