The three Executive Steering Committee (ESC) positions up for election in this cycle are Chair, Treasurer, and Conference Officer (replacing the post of Publications Officer). Candidates are being elected to a three-year term commencing at the end of the 2025 AGM, which will be held during the conference in Athens. To learn more about the candidates and their plans for supporting CAA in these roles, please see their statements below.
Election Process
Electronic ballots will be emailed to all current CAA members on 4 November. Voting will remain open through 18 November 2024.
Chair
Candidate: Josh Emmitt, running for his first full term
Kia ora, my name is Josh Emmitt, and I am applying for the Chair of CAA International position. I received my PhD in 2018 from the University of Auckland and am currently Curator of Archaeology at Auckland War Memorial Museum. Since 2019, I have been on the committee for CAA Australasia and served as Chair since 2020. In 2024, with the support of CAA Australasia and the University of Auckland, I organised the CAA International Conference in Auckland. I am excited about the future of the CAA community as it enters its next 50 years. I acknowledge the organisation’s challenges with changes in conference formats, travel, and how we, as practitioners, use and collect data, and I believe I can help navigate CAA International through them. The CAA International community is expanding, and I hope to encourage it to develop further by engaging colleagues from traditionally under-represented places and recognising our current networks.
Treasurer
Candidate: Karl Smith, running for his second term
I’m Karl Smith and I am running for a second term as CAA Treasurer. I’m proud to have served the CAA community for three years as treasurer, maintaining the CAA International budget and being involved in the ESC. I’m particularly happy to have been able to work with Timo Geitlinger and the rest of the Bursaries committee members to help people attend CAA. I have also worked closely with outgoing CAA Chair Lisa Fischer to update our financial registration and accounts – an ongoing effort that has involved many bureaucratic hurdles – and if elected to a second term I would devote myself to completing that process. Finally, I am also running in part to ensure a smooth ESC transition. As Lisa steps down and a new CAA Chair is elected, my experience with CAA financials would be very helpful as the new Chair gets up and running.
Thanks for your consideration,
Karl
Conference Officer
Candidate: Maria Elena Castiello, running for her first term
My name is Maria Elena Castiello, and I am honoured to submit my application for the role of Conference Officer with the International Organization of Computer Applications in Archaeology (CAA). With a solid foundation in both archaeology and digital applications, I first became involved with CAA as a PhD student, initially attending conferences to connect with professionals who shared my cross-disciplinary interests. These gatherings offered me invaluable opportunities to discuss ideas, share research results and address common challenges in our field. Many of my long-standing collaborations, impactful projects, and genuine friendships have grown out of these meetings over the years, cementing my dedication to the CAA community.
Since 2019, I have participated in every CAA conference, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the association’s mission, the evolving landscape of our field and the specific needs of our members. My consistent involvement has deepened my knowledge of the thematic elements essential to creating a successful and memorable conference experience. From curating keynote and session selections to structuring workshops integrating the latest digital tools, I have gained insights into what captivates and benefits our diverse audience of scholars, practitioners, and students alike.
As Conference Officer, I am committed to upholding and enhancing the legacy of CAA’s annual meetings while preserving the core values of inclusivity and collaborative engagement that have always defined CAA conferences. My goal is to contribute in creating these kind of events that inspire, educate, and connect, fostering meaningful dialogue among seasoned experts and newcomers alike. With my organizational expertise, deep passion, and dedication to the CAA’s mission, I am prepared to help shaping conferences that will further elevate our field and support the professional growth of our community.
It would be a privilege to contribute my experience, energy, and enthusiasm to ensure CAA’s events continue to lead in the intertwined archaeological and digital scholarship.
Sincerely,
Dr. Maria Elena Castiello