ICAHM is excited to welcome new members who have joined in 2025 and we are pleased to share some information on our new additions!
2025
Name: Asena Özge Yaşar
Affiliation: Archrono Academy LLC
Membership Category: Associate Member
Asena Özge Yaşar is a cultural heritage professional with a multidisciplinary background in Classical Archaeology and Architecture, and over a decade of experience in fieldwork, documentation, and restoration. She has contributed to major heritage projects in Türkiye, including the conservation and restoration works at Hagia Sophia, the restoration of the Galata Tower, and underwater excavations at Limantepe — the site of the world’s oldest known submerged breakwater structure. These projects required close coordination between excavation teams, conservation laboratories, and architectural documentation processes, highlighting her leadership and management skills.
Now based in the United States, she continues her academic research and leads international heritage initiatives through Archrono Academy LLC. She has also specialized in children’s archaeology and heritage education, supported by certificates from Harvard University, and is currently developing innovative educational programs that bring archaeology and cultural heritage to younger generations.
Her professional interests span both terrestrial and underwater archaeology, with a focus on conservation, site management, and digital documentation methods. She has been recognized with an international award for her contributions to cultural heritage and frequently shares her expertise as a speaker at international conferences and seminars. She also serves on ethics committees dedicated to safeguarding professional accountability in archaeology.
Yaşar is an active member of ICOMOS (ISCARSAH, ICAHM), the World Archaeological Congress (WAC), the Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA), the American Anthropological Association (AAA), and the Turkish Archaeologists Association.
Name: Gül Aktürk Hauser
Affiliation: Assistant Professor in Heritage Studies in the Faculty of Archaeology at Leiden University
Membership Category: Associate Member
Gül Aktürk Hauser is an Assistant Professor in Heritage Studies in the Faculty of Archaeology at Leiden University. Her research interest lies in the intersection of climate change and cultural heritage. Her research also investigates climate resilience of cultural heritage, vernacular heritage (focused mostly on Turkey), cultural landscapes, climate displacement and intangible cultural heritage, land-use changes, critical heritage studies, and archaeological heritage management.
She is an architect and studied MSc Architectural Conservation at Edinburgh University between 2012 and 2013. She then worked in several architectural restoration projects and archaeological excavations for over 5 years. She completed her PhD with the title of “Climate Change and the Resilience of Collective Memories” in the Faculty of Architecture at TU Delft in January 2023. Before completing her PhD, she started her postdoctoral research on I-tree 2.0 NL project in the Industrial Design Engineering Faculty at TU Delft. She received VAG Publication Grant to publish her PhD thesis as a book.
Name: Dr Nicholas Roberts
Affiliation: Cultural Heritage Officer (Team Lead), Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. Adjunct Research Fellow, The Cairns Institute, James Cook University (Australia).
Membership Category: Expert Member
Nick is a practicing archaeologist and anthropologist with over 15 years experience specialising in applied and academic cultural heritage management within Australia, Southeast Asia, and Papua New Guinea. He holds a PhD in the Social Sciences and professional memberships with ICOMOS Australia, the Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI), and the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association (IPPA). He continues to publish on his work and research in Australia and the Lao PDR.
Nick specialises in cultural heritage management processes working within diverse sectors including large-scale linear civil and energy infrastructure, academic research projects, Public-Private sector partnerships, and World and National Heritage Properties (cultural and natural). He has provided expert advice and leadership on a range of heritage projects and programs including the MMG-LXML Sepon Gold & Copper Mine Cultural Heritage Program, Lao PDR; the Origins of the Civilization of Angkor Research Project, Thailand; the Undara Archaeology Project, Australia; and the Cape York Regional Package 1 & 2, Australia.
Nick applies an archaeological and anthropological lens to his work and integrates academic knowledge with practical applications, focused on multi-vocal and community-driven approaches to heritage management. He aims to develop appropriate purpose-fit structures and processes to manage and safeguard heritage that are multilateral, inclusive, and sustainable. His current research is focused on Buddhist and Hindu rock-cut architecture, temples, and sacred caves, incorporating community, academic, and institutional collaboration, capability and capacity building to enhance multilateral management of cultural properties, landscapes, and their associated beliefs, values, and practices.
Name: Parker Blackwell
Affiliation: The Antiquities Coalition
Membership category: Associate member
Parker Blackwell is a heritage professional with expertise in cultural policy, illicit antiquities trade, and critical heritage research. Currently serving as the Executive Assistant at The Antiquities Coalition, she supports initiatives combating the illicit trade of art and antiquities through research, advocacy, and strategic communications. She holds an MPhil in Heritage Studies from the University of Cambridge (Gates Cambridge Scholar) and a BA in Archaeology and Classical & Ancient Near Eastern Studies from George Washington University. Her research has explored the West African art market and cultural heritage protection through a postcolonial lens. She is passionate about advancing thoughtful stewardship of cultural heritage and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in the field.
Name: Dr. Julian Jansen van Rensburg
Affiliation: Chronicle Heritage
Membership category: Expert Member
Dr. Julian Jansen van Rensburg has directed cultural heritage projects throughout the Middle East and Europe for over 20 years, and has worked in collaboration with numerous universities and organizations. These include National Geographic, Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh, and the World Monument Fund. He is also a member of ICOMOS UK, and is an Expert Member of ICOMOS ISC-CAR.
He has extensive knowledge and experience in managing both terrestrial and maritime archaeological survey, monitoring, and excavation projects. He has also led several tangible and intangible heritage projects to develop education and training initiatives through capacity building and building awareness. His research addresses the linkages between natural and cultural heritage specifically as it relates to cultural heritage conservation and management plans, and looks at the impacts of climate change on heritage. He has published extensively on numerous topics that include cultural heritage management and climate change, maritime archaeology and ethnography, island and coastal archaeology, ancient DNA, and rock art.