Dr Sophie Beckett

Dr Sophie Beckett is a lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Exeter.

Research interests span Human Osteoarchaeology, Forensic Anthropology and Applied Archaeological Science with particular focus on biological minerals (such as dental calculus, urinary stones and burnt bone), disarticulated human skeletal remains, osteometrics and, the application of computed tomography (CT) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis within Archaeology.

Sophie is an Honorary Fellow of Melbourne Dental School (University of Melbourne) and a Chartered Chemist (Royal Society of Chemistry). She has experience of management of large multi-user laboratories, commercial analysis in XRD and CT and, working in the UK and abroad within mass fatality incident response.

Sophie works with a range of heritage organisations on research projects and public engagement. Recent work includes collaboration on several aDNA research studies.

Gretzinger J, Sayer D & Schiffels S, et al (including Beckett S) (2022) The Anglo-Saxon migration and the formation of the Early English gene pool, Nature, 610 (7930) 112-119

Kocher A, et al (including Beckett S) (2021) Ten millennia of hepatitis B virus evolution, Science, 374 (6564) 182-188

Dr Beckett welcomes enquiries regarding research collaborations as well as PhD and Masters by Research studies. Current PhD supervision includes an AHRC funded studentship ‘The Archaeology of Hidden Identity: The Case of a Female Burial from Lowbury Hill’.

A Fellow of Advance HE, teaching and module management experience covers a range of subject areas including forensic anthropology, disaster victim identification and human osteoarchaeology.

Biography:

Sophie was awarded her undergraduate degree in Chemistry by the University of Durham, completed her MSc in Forensic Archaeological Science at University College London and gained a PhD at Cranfield University (Interspecies Variation in Bone Mineral). Fellowship of Advance HE was gained on award of a Post-Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice and Sophie is a Chartered Chemist (Royal Society of Chemistry). Sophie is also an Honorary Fellow of Melbourne Dental School (University of Melbourne). Sophie has worked for Cranfield University, first as a Research Fellow and then as a Lecturer in Forensic and Archaeological Biominerals. During her time at Cranfield University, Sophie managed large multi-user laboratories and commercial analysis in X-ray diffraction analysis and computed tomography. Sophie has also worked in the UK and abroad within mass fatality incident response and as a freelance osteologist.

Research supervision:

Dr Beckett is open to discussing research proposals on any relevant subject within their research expertise, particularly the areas of:

Biological Minerals (dental calculus or urinary stones)

Burial, excavation and post-Excavation practice focussing on the Early Medieval cemetery site at Sedgeford, Norfolk

Computed tomography (CT) approaches within areas of dental anthropology, osteometrics or cremated remains

Sophie has experience in supervision, reviewing and examining a variety of PhD projects (15+) in Forensics, Applied Science and Archaeology. Member of Review College (moderation and selection panels) for the AHRC South-West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership (SWW DTP) since 2021.