Emily Smith-Sangster, whose work brings new perspectives on the lives and legacies of ancient Egyptians, is Cal State San Bernardino’s seventh W. Benson Harer Egyptology Scholar in Residence. Fresh from completing her Ph.D. in Egyptology at Princeton University, Smith-Sangster is set to inspire students, faculty and the broader community with her innovative teaching and research.

As part of her residency, Smith-Sangster is offering a new upper-division course in the Department of History, History 3970: “Mummies, Magic, and the Mundane: An Introduction to Ancient Egyptian Funerary Archaeology.” This unique class introduces students to the beliefs, practices and everyday realities surrounding death in ancient Egypt, blending archaeological evidence with social and cultural history.

In addition, the campus community and the public are invited to attend her upcoming lecture, “Community, Memory, and Adaptation after Strife: Examining a South Abydos Population in the Early New Kingdom.” The lecture will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA). Drawing on her recent excavations at Abydos, Smith-Sangster will explore how communities in ancient Egypt adapted and redefined themselves in the wake of social and political upheaval.

Smith-Sangster’s research focuses on the people of the early New Kingdom (c. 1500 BCE), particularly at Abydos, one of ancient Egypt’s most important religious and cultural centers. Since 2022, she has conducted excavations at the site, where she examines tombs to better understand identity, landscape, gender and disability in ancient Egyptian society. Her work stands at the intersection of history, anthropology and archaeology, reflecting a commitment to both scholarly rigor and accessibility. She has published widely on disability and disability theory in the ancient world, helping to broaden the field’s perspectives on diversity in antiquity.

Alongside her research, Smith-Sangster brings teaching experience from both Princeton and New York University, where she previously earned her master’s degree. She completed her undergraduate studies at Monmouth University in New Jersey. Beyond academia, she is dedicated to public history, working with museums, libraries and historical sites to make Egyptology accessible for all ages.

Her residency is made possible through the W. Benson Harer Egyptology Scholar in Residence program, which since 2017 has brought world-renowned and rising Egyptologists to CSUSB. The program is a cornerstone of the university’s growing Egyptology offerings, supported by the Benson and Pamela Harer Fellow in Egyptology, currently held by Kate Liszka. Together, these opportunities have positioned CSUSB as a leading institution for Egyptological study for undergraduates.

Students at CSUSB can now pursue a Certificate in Egyptology through the Department of History, with coursework covering ancient Egyptian art, history and archaeology. Beyond the classroom, students benefit from RAFFMA’s rich collections, research opportunities analyzing archaeological material, and study abroad experiences in Egypt.

With Smith-Sangster’s arrival, CSUSB continues to build on its reputation as a hub for Egyptological scholarship and community engagement. Her passion for teaching and public outreach promises to enrich both campus life and the region, offering a rare chance to explore the wonders of ancient Egypt in San Bernardino.