Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology

ACUA Proceedings 2026: Registration for Authors Open – February 27 Deadline

Did you present a paper at the 2026 SHA Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology on a topic relating to underwater archaeology? We would like to remind you that your paper is eligible to be published in the 2026 ACUA Underwater Archaeology Proceedings. Submissions from students and early-career professionals are especially encouraged, but anyone who presented on a relevant topis is welcome. Registration is now open and you must register intent to submit by February 27 in order to be considered. Start the process here to pre-register and get author guidelines.

ACUA Graduate Student Associate Member Call for Applications

The ACUA is seeking candidates to fill one (1) vacant Graduate Student Associate (GSA) Member position. The term will run from date of selection through 31 December 2027 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. GSAs are eligible to have their SHA conference registration fee waived. Travel assistance to the annual conference is also possible, although not guaranteed. For more information about qualifying, applying, and submitting for this position, please download the ACUA GSA application guidelines. Application Deadline March 6, 2026; selection announced no later than March 15, 2026.

2026 ACUA Student Travel Awards – Congratulations

ACUA & RECON Offshore Student Travel Award

Mikiko Robinson from University of West Florida is the winner of the 2026 ACUA & RECON Offshore Student Travel Award for the Detroit, Michigan conference. Learn more about this award and meet Mikiko.

Mikiko Robinson, ACUA Chair Jen McKinnon, RECON Offshore Principle Michael Krivor (L-R)

George R. Fischer Student Travel Award

Zi-Qi Chew is a PhD candidate in the Department of Anthropology at University of California, San Diego. is the winner of the 2026 George R. Fischer Student Travel award for the Detroit, Michigan conference. Learn more about this award and meet Zi-Qi

Zi-Qi Chew and ACUA Chair Jen McKinnon (L-R)

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

The inaugural recipient for the Klein Award is Dr. Kotaru Yamafune, who has pioneered the development of modern photogrammetric methodologies in the field of underwater archaeology. Dr. Yamafune completed his dissertation on the subject of underwater photogrammetry in 2016 from Texas A&M University. Since then, he has made it his mission to educate the current and next generation of underwater archaeologists in the methodology. He began a for-profit photogrammetry business in Japan with the explicit goal of funding his volunteer time on archaeological projects around the world. He has run dozens upon dozens of training programs and workshops for non-profits, agencies, and universities, often at his own expense. Importantly, the training has evolved to include new and innovative advancements for making photogrammetry more precise and more applicable to archaeological research questions. Read more about Kota and his ground breaking contribution to underwater archaeology.

7th Sort-of-Annual Noble Duck Race Winners

The winners are: 1st Place Pacific Legacy trained by Scott Strimling, 2nd Place Sarah Holland, and 3rd Place Michael Tuttle.

The 7th Sort-of-Annual Noble Duck Race was on Saturday, January 31, in Pensacola, Florida. Despite bitter cold and biting wind – seriously, frozen iguanas were falling out of the trees – nearly 300 ducks raced in the Holiday Inn Pensacola Beach Resort’s Lazy River pool. The ducks battled icebergs, waterfalls, gale-force winds, and pool noodles in a fierce competition for naval supremacy. Duck #112, owned by Pacific Legacy and trained by Scott Strimling, ultimately prevailed for 1st Place, followed by #248, owned by Sarah Holland, and #209, ridden by Michael Tuttle, to claim the honors this year. Nearly $3000 were raised, with all proceeds going to the ACUA’s student support programs. Many thanks to Holiday Inn Pensacola for allowing use of their racetrack, and especially to everyone who purchased a duck! For more information about the duck race, check out https://acuaonline.org/sort-of-annual-noble-duck-race/. To see this year’s race and previous floatings, as well as cool underwater archaeology vids, visit ACUA’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@advisorycouncilunderwaterarch/videos

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!

Fall 2025 ACUA Student Newsletter Now Available

The fall 2025 issue of the ACUA Student Newsletter is now available! Read all about the great student led research by Christina Giudici – New Submerged Paleolandscape Project in Lake Michigan, Dante Peterson Stanley – Present Status of Underwater Cultural Heritage in the Chicago Area , and Joseph Jakubs – Importance of Secondary Goals Surveying Santee River, Winyah Bay and Surrounding Region.

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

Women in Maritime Archaeology: Developing Actions for an Equitable Future

The Maritime Archaeology Trust is studying the issues of equality of opportunity for women in maritime archaeology. Read about their surprising findings.

The ACUA Underwater Archaeology Proceedings: Share Your Research

Now is the time to share your research! If you presented a maritime-related topic at the SHA in Detroit, consider submitting to the 2026 ACUA Underwater Archaeology Proceedings.

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.