Owen Doonan

Owen Doonan is a distinguished Professor of Art History and Archaeology at California State University, Northridge (CSUN).12 He specializes in the cultures of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea regions.2

Academic Background and Career

Professor Doonan received his B.A. (1986) and M.A. (1989) in Classics and Classical Archaeology from Tufts University, followed by a Ph.D. in Old World Archaeology from Brown University in 1993.1 His academic career began at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey, where he taught in the Archaeology Department from 1992 to 1995.1 Since 2003, he has been teaching ancient Art History and Archaeology at CSUN.1

Research and Field Work

Doonan has been directing the Sinop Regional Archaeological Project in Turkey since 1996.1 His extensive field experience includes excavations in various countries such as Italy, Greece, Spain, and Israel.1 As an active researcher, he has authored over 50 books and articles, and his work has been supported by prestigious grants from organizations like the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Geographic Society, the Getty Foundation, and the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung.1

Professional Involvement and Recognition

Professor Doonan has held leadership roles in archaeological organizations, including:

• President and Vice President of the L.A. County Society of the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA)1
• Chair of the AIA's Eastern Europe and Eurasia Interest Group1
• Member of the AIA Fellowships Committee1

He was also recognized as the AIA's G.M.A. Hanfmann Lecturer for 2016-2017.1

Areas of Interest

Beyond his academic pursuits, Professor Doonan is particularly passionate about public outreach and actively engages with the Turkish-American community in North America and the host community of Sinop, Turkey.1 His work bridges the gap between academic research and community involvement, demonstrating his commitment to making archaeology and art history accessible to wider audiences.