Science Friday

As Director of Strategic Initiatives for the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist, Elizabeth Reetz casts a wide net to effectively communicate science and culture through public engagement. She does this by creating interpretive media and curricula, presenting to classrooms and communities, and researching outreach best practices.

Since 2000, Elizabeth has done archaeology fieldwork in her home state of Wisconsin, Nevada, Washington, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota. She studied castles and ancient landscapes in Ireland as a masters in Landscape Archaeology student, and completed a second masters in Environmental Education to gain experience in curriculum building and outdoor education.

The biggest highlights of her career include building stronger relationships with Midwestern Tribal communities, connecting youth with nature through archaeology, and becoming part of a nationwide archaeology education network that feels like family. She serves on the national Project Archaeology Leadership Team and is chairperson for the Society for American Archaeology’s Public Education Committee.

At home, Elizabeth spends as much time as possible outside by camping, paddling, and tending to her gardens of native perennials. She’s a big fan of road trips and is closing in on visiting all 50 states.