Emily Hanscam

MA student

Hi, I'm Emily Hanscam and I studied within Archaeology at the University of Southampton.

While I initially sought out Southampton for the department's pioneering work in archaeological theory and praxis, I was also delighted to discover a very welcoming faculty and group of intellectual peers that made my time at the university incredibly meaningful and worthwhile.

What was your first degree in? Where did you study it?

BA in Anthropology and History at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. 

What made you decide to study archaeology at postgraduate level?

I'm one of those people who really enjoys academic environments, and I wasn't ready to leave school yet! That, and I've got my eye on careers that require advanced degrees. 

Why did you choose to study at Southampton?

I knew I was ready to leave the US for at least a few years, and Southampton had a very strong reputation for research in social archaeology.

Tell us more about the areas of archaeology that you are now specialising in.

I'm currently managing an excavation on the Roman Frontier in Romania, and I am also very interested in issues related to heritage, identity, and nationalism.

Are you enjoying your studies? What do you like most about your degree programme?

I'm sad that my time at Southampton is nearly over! I've very much enjoyed getting to know the diverse array of people in the department, and I suppose I've most appreciated the flexibility within the program that allows you to individually tailor it to meet your specifications.

Do you get on well with the academic staff?

Absolutely! They are quite excellent at supporting and encouraging postgraduate work.

What's the best thing about living and studying in Southampton?

Southampton is ideally placed to access some beautiful spots in Southern England, and the city itself offers a wide range of diversions. 

What are you planning to do after graduating?

I will hopefully be starting a PhD program at Durham in the winter, but only after I go back to Alaska for a month or so to get caught up on a whole lot of missed skiing! 

Do you have any advice for people considering studying archaeology at postgraduate level at Southampton?

First of all, go for it! 

Secondly, one of the best decisions I made was to get involved in completely non-academic activities-- I joined a few of the university's dance societies and I found a local stable in Winchester to ride for, which gets me out of the city and into a completely different environment. Don't do all academics, find things that will keep you active and help you leave your work behind for a few hours.