Dr Madeline Shanahan

Director, NSW Manager

“The world is in a constant state of change. Protecting our connection to what has gone before, and maintaining those touchpoints to community and memory is why I love heritage. It’s an opportunity to make sure the voices of the past are with us, and respected. It can really enhance people’s experience of a place.”

Dr Madeline Shanahan has fifteen years’ experience as a professional archaeologist and historian. After obtaining a PhD in Archaeology from University College Dublin and a First Class Honours degree in Historical Archaeology from the University of Sydney, Madeline went on to work as a heritage consultant in Dublin, Melbourne and Sydney. As a multidisciplinary practitioner, she has worked on a wide range of projects, but her primary area of expertise is Heritage Interpretation.

Madeline has been the key author and director of a range of important interpretation projects, taking them through from strategic planning stage to implementation. She also has extensive experience in Aboriginal history, cultural heritage and Native Title research, and is highly skilled in community consultation and cultural values assessment.

Madeline remains an active researcher and is the author of two books and a range of peer-reviewed publications. She regularly speaks at national and international conferences and is currently an Honorary Adjunct Lecturer at the University of New England. Her research interests relate to food and cookery, recipe books, women’s history and domestic space.