UT's Casa Herrera Scholars-In-Residence Program welcomed many visiting graduate students, academics, independent researchers, and artists who demonstrated a strong commitment to their respective fields and whose research reflected the mission and objectives of The Mesoamerica Center in Guatemala.
Accepted resident scholars arrived to UT's Casa Herrera project from various institutions across the US and abroad, bringing their interests and expertise in areas such as archaeology, linguistics, art history, anthropology, education, history, comparative literature, and more. Following final decisions on applications, residencies were granted for a minimum of 1 week and up-to-3 month stay to work on proposed research and writing projects. Residencies were organized in the following categories:
- Student Visiting Scholars - individuals who at the time of application were full-time students enrolled in a Master's degree program and working on a thesis or research project;
- Junior Visiting Scholars - individuals who at the time of application were full-time students enrolled in a Ph.D. degree program and working on a dissertation or research project;
- Senior Visiting Scholars - individuals who at the time of application held a doctorate or comparative degree, or had established themselves in their field and wished to pursue their own research; and
- Visiting Artists - individuals who held a graduate degree in the arts or comparative degree, or had established themselves in the arts (such as fine arts, music, theater, dance) and wished to pursue a research project.
Resident scholars enjoyed fully furnished living and office spaces at UT's Casa Herrera project to support their research needs, while also having the opportunity to engage with one another (when residencies overlapped and/or coincided) and cultivate a hub for scholarly exchange and conversation at the center. Resident scholars were also responsible for sharing their work with the local community through organized community outreach events such as public talks, workshops, art exhibitions, among other activities. Examples of some of these public engagement activities can be found on this page.
This combination of private time for work and reflection, collegial engagement, and community outreach were an important part of life at UT's Casa Herrera project.
Past Scholars-In-Residence at UT's Casa Herrera Project
2023 Scholars-In-Residence
Nancy Martinez, Stanford University, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: "Breaking the Book: Reading in the Age of Globalization" (third chapter of dissertation)
Dissertation
Catherine Nuckols-Wilde, Tulane University, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Comprehensive analysis of Classic Maya full-figure inscriptions from a visual and ethnographic perspective.
Website
2022 Scholars-In-Residence
Jennifer Teets & Lorenzo Cirrincione, Independent Artists, Visiting Artists
Research topic: Elusive Earths, book prospectus
2021 Scholars-In-Residence
Catherine H. Popovici, The University of Texas at Austin, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Hieroglyphic Texts and Provincial Placement of Stelae in the Copan Valley.
Casa Herrera Online Presentation
2019 Scholars-In-Residence
Vasken Markarian, The University of Texas at Austin, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: The Civil Defense Patrols in Guatemala: Negotiations of Power and Meaning
Dissertation
Judith Maxwell, Tulane University, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Revision of 2 book manuscripts: Anales de los Kaqchikeles, Título de los Señores de Tecpán Sololá, and Xajil Chronicle
Publications
2018 Scholars-In-Residence
Omar Alcover Firpi, Brown University, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Hilltop fortress of Macabilero, Guatemala
Dissertation
Anna Bishop, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Analysis of ceramics recovered by the Proyecto Arquoelógico de El Zotz
Dissertation
Mary Catherine Driese, University of Arizona, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Short-term medical US missions to Guatemala
Dissertation
Beth Ferguson, University of California, Davis, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Solaviz Jungle, the Solar Energy Visualization Project
Heather Hurst, Skidmore College, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Moving Maya Murals: Conservation Treatments of the San Bartolo Murals
Project Website
Judith Maxwell, Tulane University, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Arte de los tres idiomas: términos lingüísticos técnicos en el Kaqchikel, K’ichee’ y Tz’utujiil
Publications
Rebecca Moore, Tulane University, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Kaqchikel word associations, dialogue, and social characteristics
Dissertation
Katherine Williams, University of New Mexico, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Moving Maya Murals: Conservation Treatments of the San Bartolo Murals
2017 Scholars-In-Residence
Barbara Conboy, University of Redlands, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Kaqchikel-Spanish Bilingual Development in Preschool Children
Publications
Carol Hayman, Austin Community College, Visiting Artist
Research topic: Guatemala - Portraits of Artisans and Their Work
Website
Heather Hurst, Skidmore College, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: San Bartolo fragments conservation project
Project Website
Ernesto Mercado Montero, The University of Texas at Austin, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: From Imperial Bordered-Lands to Carib Borderlands: The Caribs and the Politics of the Slave Trade, Smuggling, and Insurgency in the Circum-Caribbean, 1763-1833
Publication
Heidi Powell, University of Florida, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Generational Confluence in Traditional Arts Practice as a Form af Art Education in Community Contexts
Installation
Meghan Rubenstein, Colorado College, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Constructed Meaning in the Puuc Architectural Program and its Variations
Dissertation
2016 Scholars-In-Residence
Daniel Aquino Lara, Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología de Guatemala, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Preservation of textiles and indigenous attire
Sara R. Auclair, The University of Texas at Austin, Student Visiting Scholar
Research topic: The Politics of Education: Communism & U.S. Foreign Policy in Guatemala, 1955-1972
Master's Thesis
Alyce de Carteret, Brown University, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Exploration of the Craft of Non-Monumental Housebilidng among the Classic-Period Maya
Dissertation
Rosalba Yasmin Cifuentes Arguello, Proyecto Arqueológico Regional San Bartolo - Xultun, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Proyecto de Consolidación de Pintural Mural de la Pirámide Pinturas del Sitio San Bartolo
Heather Hurst, Skidmore College, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: San Bartolo fragments conservation work
Project Website
Jared Katz, University of California, Riverside, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Music in the Lives of the Ancient Maya
Dissertation
Martin Smith, Metropolitan International School, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Basketball amongst Guatemalan Youth
Dissertation
2015 Scholars-In-Residence
Ryan Cronk, The University of Texas at Austin, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Reimagining and Reexamining the "Relaciones Geográficas"
Website
Heather Hurst, Skidmore College, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: San Bartolo fragments conservation work
Project Website
Julia Menard-Warwick, University of California, Davis, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Bilingual Professional Identity Development and Study Abroad Program Design
Publication
Sergio Romero, The University of Texas at Austin, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Mayan Languages in Contact: An Ethnographic Study
Publications
William Saturno, Boston University, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: San Bartolo fragments conservation work
Lacey Schauwecker, University of Southern California, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Mesoamerican Audiovisual Aesthetics
Dissertation
Karl Taube, University of California, Riverside, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: San Bartolo fragments conservation work
Select Publications
2014 Scholars-In-Residence
Alyce de Carteret, Brown University, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Sociocultural Dimensions of Domestic Architecture. El Zotz Archaeological Project
Dissertation
Heather Hurst, Skidmore College, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Curso La Conservación de los Fragmentos de Pintura Mural, San Bartolo, Guatemala
Project Website
Varinia Matute Rodríguez, University of Calgary, Student Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Maya Social Stratification and Diet: Bioarchaeological Approaches to Understanding Social Organization in Terminal Classic Nakum, Guatemala
Caitlin O'Grady, Institute of Archaeology - University College London, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Curso La Conservación de los Fragmentos de Pintura Mural, San Bartolo, Guatemala
Edwin Román Ramírez, The University of Texas at Austin, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: El Clásico Temprano en la Acrópolis de El Diablo, El Zotz, Guatemala
Dissertation
Sergio Romero, The University of Texas at Austin, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Two Incarnations of Language and History in the Maya Highlands: Contact between Mamean Languages and K'ichee'
Publications
2013 Scholars-In-Residence
Marcos Armstrong, Ryerson University, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Photographic preservation and collections management / Photographic preservation assessment of CIRMA Fototeca collections
Website
Sarah Foss, Indiana University Bloomington, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: From Indio to Maya: Ethnic Identity in Guatemala, 1920-1996
Publication
Sarah Newman, Brown University, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Talking Trash: Ritual, Reuse, and Refuse at El Zotz, Guatemala
Publication
Michael Razjman, Ryerson University, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Photographic preservation and collections management / Photographic preservation assessment of CIRMA Fototeca collections
2012 Scholars-In-Residence
Sarah Carney, The University of Texas at Austin, Student Visiting Scholar
Research topic: The First 100 Years of the Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología of Guatemala
Master's Thesis
Franco Rossi, Boston University, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Field research and epigraphy of Xultún, Guatemala
Dissertation
Czarina Thelen, The University of Texas at Austin, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Theater as an Expression of Maya Politics and Epistemology
Dissertation
María Pilar Vázquez Llorente, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: El ensueño del primogénito real: Una nueva interpretación del bebé jaguar maya
Publications
2011 Scholars-In-Residence
James Doyle, Brown University, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: 2008-2010 Research Field Season at El Palmar, Petén, Guatemala
Website & Publications
Melanie Kingsley, Brandeis University, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: The Classic Maya Collapse and its Resulting Social Changes
Dissertation
2010 Scholars-In-Residence
Creighton Chandler, The University of Texas at Austin, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: USAID and Rise of Liberation Theology in Guatemala
Dissertation
James Doyle, Brown University, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: 2008-2010 Research Field Season at El Palmar, Petén, Guatemala
Website & Publications
Caitlyn Earley, The University of Texas at Austin, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Art from the Comitán Valley, Chiapas, Mexico
Dissertation
Beth Ferguson, The University of Texas at Austin, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Technology and sustainable development in Guatemala
John P. Hawkins, Brigham Young University, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Political Activisim in Nahualá and Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán, Guatemala
Publication
Lucia R. Henderson, The University of Texas at Austin, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: The Art of Kaminaljuyu, Guatemala
Dissertation
Melanie Kingsley, Brandeis University, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: The Classic Maya Collapse and its Resulting Social Changes
Dissertation
James McDonald, Southern Utah University, Senior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Political Activisim in Nahualá and Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán, Guatemala
Publication
Dolores Peralta, University of Denver, Student Visiting Scholar
Research topic: The Management Plan of the World Heritage Site of Antigua Guatemala
2009 Scholars-In-Residence
Milady Casco, The University of Texas at Austin, Student Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Politics, Identity, and Art Education: An Ethnographic Case Study of MARTE and Cultural Revitalization in El Salvador
Master's Thesis
Virginia Walker King, The University of Texas at Austin, Junior Visiting Scholar
Research topic: Malinalco: An Expression of Mexica Political and Religious Dominance in a Subject Territory
Dissertation
Community Outreach Events & Activities by Past Scholars-In-Residence
Escriba tu propia inscripción maya
2023 Scholar-In-Residence Catie Nuckols-Wilde designed a fun workshop that introduced the public to her research with Maya inscriptions. Here is an example of an exercise designed by Nuckols-Wilde for the workshop.
Periódicos y la Circulación de Mesoamerica
During COVID pandemic times, UT's Casa Herrera project hosted several online public talks, including this talk given by 2021 Scholar-In-Residence Dr. Catherine H. Popovici, who at the time was completing dissertation writing on her research of stelae monuments in Copán.
Handmade - Hecho a Mano
A photographic exhibition by 2017 Scholar-In-Residence Carol Hayman documented several artisan families and their work in and around Antigua Guatemala. She created an online version of the exhibition that was hosted at UT's Casa Herrera project.
San Bartolo-Xultun Archaeological and Conservation Program
UT's Casa Herrera project hosted several researchers affiliated with the San Bartolo-Xultun Regional Archaeological Project (PRASBX) as scholars-in-residence, in addition to supporting its program activities with regular access to office space during the project's off seasons. Check out PRASBX's website to learn more about their team and work!