Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology

ACUA Graduate Student Associate Member Call for Applications

The ACUA is seeking candidates to fill two (2) Graduate Student Associate (GSA) Member positions. The term will run from 1 January 2027 through 31 December 2028 and is a voluntary, two-year position. The ACUA has four (4) concurrent GSAs serving on the Board with overlapping two-year terms. The role of the GSA member is to serve as a liaison between students and the board. The goal is to encourage greater student and early career participation in the annual SHA conference through the organization of symposia, panels, or workshops; to enhance the ACUA’s educational and public outreach, and to provide the associate an opportunity for professional development. For more information about the position, what you will do and what you will learn, how to qualify, apply, and how to submit, please download the ACUA GSA application guidelines. Application Deadline September 24, 2026; selection announced no later than October 7, 2026. Check out these blogs for more information: Heather Stewart, Lindsay Wentzel and Allyson Ropp

ACUA 2027 Student Travel Awards Call for Applications

ACUA & RECON Offshore Student Travel Award

The ACUA and RECON Offshore (https://reconoffshore.com/), a Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) providing cultural resources solutions in maritime archaeology, are sponsoring a travel award in the amount of $1,000 (USD) to a graduate or undergraduate student currently studying maritime archaeology or a related field to attend and present a paper or poster on an underwater or maritime archaeology topic at the annual Society for Historical and Underwater Archaeology conference. The goal of this travel award is to increase student participation, encourage involvement, and provide an opportunity for networking at the meetings. Meet past winners and find out more about them. For more information about qualifying, applying, deadlines, and submitting for this award, please download the ACUA & RECON Offshore Student Travel Award guidelines. Deadline September 24, 2026.

George R. Fischer International Student Travel Award

The George Fischer Student Travel Award provides support in the amount of $1,000.00 (USD) for an international graduate student currently studying maritime archaeology or a related field to attend and present a paper at the annual Society for Historical and Underwater Archaeology conference. George Fischer, a founding member of the ACUA, long supported and advocated for student participation in the annual conference not only for the experience and fostering an exchange of ideas, but the opportunity to meet other students and professionals outside of their home countries. This award, in honor of George, supports the professional development of graduate students embarking on their nascent careers. This in turn furthers the overall mission of the ACUA to foster the growth and development of underwater and maritime archaeology throughout our watery world. Meet past winners and find out more about them. For more information about qualifying, applying, deadlines, and submitting for this award. please download the ACUA George Fischer Student Travel Award guidelines. Deadline September 24, 2026.

Martin Klein Award for the Development and Application of Technology in Support of Underwater Archaeology – Call for Applications

The ACUA is pleased to announce the call for the Martin Klein Award for the Development and Application of Technology in Support of Underwater Archaeology. An award of $1,000 (USD) will be given to an individual who has developed or demonstrated the use of innovative technology in the service of underwater archaeology. Applicants can be at any stage of their career and must be a member in good standing with the SHA. For more information, download the application Klein Award Guidelines. Send applications to the ACUA at info@acuaonline.org. Put Klein Award in the subject line. Deadline September 24, 2026.

Martin Klein, D.Sc., “The Father of Side Scan Sonar,” is the founder of Klein Associates (now Klein Marine Systems) and developed the first commercially successful side scan sonar system. He has been a long-time member of ACUA and currently serves on the board as an Associate Emeritus Member. This award is designed to encourage and support innovation technology in underwater archaeology.

Spring 2026 ACUA Student Newsletter Now Available

The spring 2026 issue of the ACUA Student Newsletter is now available! Read all about the great student led research by Matías Javier Kalina – Calm Waters Run Deep, Baseline documentation project of a visible shipwreck at Olivos Port, Argentina; Elizabeth White – Pollen analysis from Emanuel Point I Shipwreck Sediments; and Hope Bridgeman – Shell Deposit Formations of Devils Point in Escambia Bay, Escambia County, FL. There is also news about the GSA hosted Spotlight on Student Research session for the 2026 SHA Conference in Austin, TX. Calling all interested students to register and present!

Photo and Video Contest Winners Announced

Congratulations and thank you to all of the photographers and videographers for submitting 18 amazing photographs and 3 great videos! To see all of the images and videos and the winning entries visit the contest page at Photo Contest 2026 and share the results with your friends and colleagues. You made the Detroit contest one of the best ever!

2025 ACUA Proceedings Available

The 2025 Underwater Archaeology Proceedings, edited by Della Scott-Ireton and Douglas Jones is now available for sale. Visit the ACUA Storefront and get your ePub ($15USD) or Hard Copy ($25USD).

Recent Deep Thoughts

Beyond the Books: Your Guide to Making Waves in Underwater Archaeology

Hey Students (and mentors of students)! Want to be learn how to become more connected in the field of underwater archaeology? Heather, a current student at the University of West Florida and an ACUA Graduate Student Associate Member, has some tips and tricks for expanding your underwater archaeology knowledge and network.

Depth Without Division: What We Brought to Paris and What Comes Next

Are you interested in learning about the inclusions of traditional and community knowledge in connection to underwater places? Explore the implications of our current governance frameworks on these knowledge bases and steps that UNESCO is taking to address these critical datasets.

Core Principles

Ethics, respect, diversity, and equity are the core principles around which we should all strive to lead our professional and personal lives. The ACUA strongly encourages all professional organizations to promote ethical principles, non-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-racist policies among their memberships.

Vision Statement

The ACUA serves as an international advisory body on issues relating to underwater archaeology, conservation, and submerged cultural resources management. It is working to educate scholars, governments, sport divers, and the general public about underwater archaeology and the preservation of underwater resources.