Brea McCauley

I am fascinated by people, cultures, and the extremes of the human experience. I am an avid world traveller, having already visited 21 countries with an additional 10 more planned for this year. I love listening to podcasts and reading books about the true experiences of people such as escaping from cults or dealing with unknown illnesses. 

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

I chose to come to SFU because it has one of the best archaeology programs in North America. The faculty, labs, and opportunities that the department of archaeology can offer are top tier.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH AND/OR PROGRAM.

My research looks at extreme body modification rituals across the globe. It investigates these practices throughout time and asks why people would voluntarily undergo permanent modifications such as scarring their bodies, amputating their limbs, or removing their teeth. 

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?

I particularly enjoy the sense of community at SFU. Whether this is weekly journal discussion groups, groups learning to use traditional methods to make fire, or pub nights after weekly seminars. Graduate school can be extremely isolating, however, this is not something I have experienced at SFU. 

Contact Brea: bmccaule@sfu.ca