Amelia Russell is a recent graduate from North Carolina State University, where she earned her B.A. in Economics, summa cum laude. Amelia’s academic and research background focuses on economic modeling and policy evaluation, with a particular interest in how economic tools can be utilized for social and cultural initiatives. Throughout her undergraduate studies, she worked as an Assistant News/Culture Editor for NC State’s student newspaper, Technician, writing economically-focused articles on artificial intelligence and the labor market, North Carolina’s bipartisan political landscape, and other current issues. She gained experience integrating professional policies and legal precedents into her analyses as an intern with the Cape Cod 5 Cents Savings Bank’s legal team. Amelia became interested in applying her background towards heritage preservation after completing her final semester on a study abroad term in Tokyo, Japan.

As a Fulbright Scholar, Amelia will partner with Dr. Anastasia Litina at the University of Macedonia and the Balkan Heritage Foundation in Sofia, Bulgaria to complete a comparative case study of archaeological management practices in Greece and their potential implementation in Bulgaria’s growing archaeological tourism economy. As archaeological sites throughout the Balkans face increasing pressure from urbanization, overtourism, and other threats, her research will investigate how economic principles and management strategies can be leveraged to help cultural heritage sites– and their surrounding communities– become more secure, self-sustaining, and prosperous. In her free time, Amelia loves being in the mountains, working as a ski instructor in the winter and zip-line guide in the summer. On rainy days, she can’t resist a good book. Amelia is eager to engage with her Greek and Bulgarian communities and contribute to the continued preservation of the Balkans’ vibrant past.