US-UT: Bears Ears Digital Archaeology (IFR)

Location: Bears Ears, Utah, USA

Session Dates: online July 13-17 July 18 – August 9 onsite

Application Deadline: March 1, 2026

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://ifrglobal.org/program/us-ut-bears-ears-digital-archaeology/

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Institute for Field Research (IFR)

Project Director:
Dr. Eric J. Heller, Dr. Benjamin Bellorado, and Dr. Noah Pleshet

Project Description:

Explore the rich cultural heritage of the American Southwest while helping co-create AR/VR experiences of the Bears Ears National Monument (BENM) for public education and community use. Through a series of workshops, you’ll collaborate with an array of professionals and the Indigenous community to document and interpret the cultural landscapes of BENM, incorporating cutting-edge digital techniques along with ethnographic interviewing. Investigate how collaboratively produced digital cultural heritage content can contribute to long‑term stewardship, community education, and interpretation of threatened cultural resources like BENM.

Field school highlights:

• Gain lasting relationships and practical experience in respectful consultation with the Indigenous community, including native students and tribal experts.
• Produce portfolio-ready work with pathways for professional dissemination through posters, presentations, and publications.
• Learn cutting‑edge, community‑engaged digital methods, all while surrounded by the beauty of southeastern Utah!

Period(s) of Occupation: Current

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Students are expected to stay the full length of the program.

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: Bears Ears is a high-desert landscape and field work takes place in a wilderness setting in late-summer conditions. Participants should be able to hike up to 6 miles/day on uneven terrain at elevation, and lift and carry up to 30 pounds.

Room and Board Arrangements:
A true field school experience, you’ll sleep in shared tents at Devil’s Canyon Campground. The campground has basic toilets and water, but you will also have access to the project headquarters in a large house, where you can prepare meals, shower, and do laundry. You will also get to experience 2 nights of wilderness camping atop Cedar Mesa. Meals: Most meals are provided on this program and will be prepared at the project house by staff and students together. Breakfast and dinners will be prepared and eaten at the house, and lunches will be packed and brought to site. Students may choose to eat lunch or dinner out in the community on off days, at their own expense. Most special diets can be accommodated on this program.

Academic Credit:
6 semester (9 quarter) – anticipated