Dr Jon Henderson

Jon Henderson is an archaeologist with specific research interests in submerged settlements, coastal societies, marine archaeology and the development of innovative techniques for the survey and presentation of underwater sites. His current research focuses on the potential of coastal and marine heritage to lead research that addresses the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Jon has directed projects in the UK, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Poland, Jamaica and China. He is currently leading a major research project, entitled ‘Rising from the Depths’, which aims to use marine cultural heritage in East Africa to help develop sustainable social, economic and cultural benefits in the region. Recently Jon was part of the UNESCO delegation at the United Nations Ocean Conference in New York supporting the implementation of SDG 14 ‘Life Below Water’ where he presented on the role marine cultural heritage can play in the sustainable development of the oceans.

Jon is the Marine representative of the Scottish Strategic Archaeology Committee and is on the Organising Committee of the Ocean Decade Heritage Network, which recently launched the Cultural Heritage Framework Programme (CHFP) as an official Action of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-20.