Building on years of research into Australia's collection of Dutch shipwrecks off the West Australian coast, Flinders University is partnering with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Australia to offer a PhD scholarship in the field of maritime archaeology.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Maritime Archaeological Scholarship will form part of the ARC Linkage project 'Mobilising Dutch East India Company Collections for New Global Stories' and underscores the commitment of both institutions to advancing research in maritime archaeology and exploring the two countries' shared heritage.
Alexandre Hinton, an archaeologist from the United States who completed her Masters' degree in maritime archaeology at Flinders University, is the scholarship's chosen recipient.
Professor Wendy van Duivenvoorde, Alex's supervisor and a leading maritime archaeologist, highlighted the scholarship's significance.
"This scholarship embodies a meaningful partnership between Australian and Dutch researchers, focusing on our shared heritage in maritime archaeology, and I sincerely thank the Embassy for their ongoing support," says Professor van Duivenvoorde from Flinders University's College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
"Australia has a rich legacy of archives, art and artefacts, including four shipwrecks in Western Australia, from its history of encounters with the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
"Through the study of Dutch East India Company collections and shipwrecks, our ARC project that Alex is now a part of aims to uncover new narratives that link Australia to a global network of trade and exploration."
Dr Xenia Hanusiak, Snr Policy Officer Netherlands Embassy says, "The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Australia is pleased to offer multi-year financial support to enable Ms Hinton research funds to contribute to this vital ARC Linkage Project.
"Australia is a designated country of focus for the Netherlands and this project will strengthen our ties. We look forward to seeing the results."
Having spent the past five years working on archaeological projects across the Caribbean and the United States, Alex's research focusses on colonial-period warships and underwater site formation processes.
"During my PhD I will be studying objects of curiosity that have been found on Dutch East India Company shipwreck sites. These objects can encompass a great variety and include such things as coconuts, ostrich eggs, elephant tusks, and shells, among others," says Ms Hinton.
"Over the three years of my PhD, I will be creating a catalogue of the exotica that have been found on these sites, while looking to understand where they came from, where they were going, their intended usage (such as in curiosity cabinets), and what they meant to the collectors."
With close ties to the Netherlands, having visited numerous times and also previously living in the Dutch Caribbean, Alex hopes her research will not only add to academic knowledge but also aim to engage wider audiences.
"There are many in the world today that know little of the role the Dutch played in the exploration of the world, and I believe that by contributing to the field of Dutch maritime cultural heritage it will expand the knowledge base we have on their influence and its consequences while hopefully reaching more people," says Ms Hinton.
Professor van Duivenvoorde says the partnership with the Embassy of the Netherlands not only supports Alex's promising research but also reflects a larger vision for maritime archaeology.
"By combining resources and expertise, Flinders University and the Netherlands are creating pathways to better understand shared histories and to bring these stories to light for future generations," says Professor van Duivenvoorde.
"Through comparative research in Australian and overseas museums and archives we aim to situate Australian collections in a global context, creating new stories about Australia as part of the VOC global network.
"Our analysis will enrich the value of collections, provide narratives for museums and sites, and revitalise content for the international and domestic tourism market."
This project is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Australia
