Scott Pike, Professor of Environmental Science and Archaeology at Willamette University, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to study how wildfires are reshaping archaeological landscapes in Greece, a project that grew out of previous fieldwork conducted alongside Willamette undergraduates in Attica, where drones were used to investigate archaeological remains. During Spring 2027, Pike will be based at the Malcolm H. Wiener Laboratory for Archaeological Science at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, using technology to help protect cultural heritage sites in Greece.
Wildfires are increasingly threatening cultural heritage across the Mediterranean, damaging sites and accelerating erosion. Integrating environmental science and archaeology, Pike’s research will provide a window into how wildfire and subsequent landscape change affect evidence of past human activity. Drones equipped with visible-light cameras, thermal sensors, and LiDAR scanners will document cultural features and measure the surrounding terrain — helping researchers assess where erosion and slope instability may threaten archaeological resources. The project will also support workshops and seminars to build technical capacity among Greek archaeologists, students, and community members in using drones to document and preserve cultural heritage.
“I am particularly excited that this project will produce actionable data for cultural heritage professionals, provide training in emerging technologies, and engage local communities in efforts to document and protect archaeological resources in wildfire-affected landscapes,” Pike said.
Creating global research opportunities for students
The Fulbright award is another testament to Pike’s nationally and internationally-recognized excellence in teaching and research. In January 2026, Pike was awarded the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award by the Archaeological Institute of America, one of the field’s highest teaching honors.
Providing students with global research opportunities has been a core goal throughout Pike’s career. He has led summer teaching and research programs in Scotland, Italy, Greece, Japan, and China, as well as semester-long programs in Ireland and New Zealand. These experiences connect classroom learning with field research while inviting students to immerse themselves in new cultures, participate in everyday community life, and build relationships that deepen their understanding of the places and people they encounter.
Pike will bring the experience and research methods developed through the fellowship back to his environmental science and archaeology courses at Willamette. Students will use the project’s drone imagery and landscape data to investigate questions about wildfire impacts, erosion, vegetation recovery, and cultural heritage preservation. He also hopes to build on the collaborations established through the fellowship to continue taking students to Greece for field research.
Willamette’s Fulbright legacy
Willamette has a long and established history of producing Fulbright student and faculty awards, frequently being recognized as a top producer of Fulbright scholars. With over 25 faculty and over 50 students receiving the award since 1959, grantees have used the award to conduct research, teach English, and study abroad across dozens of countries and disciplines.
Fulbright U.S. Scholars are accomplished faculty, researchers, administrators, and established professionals who teach or conduct research in partnership with institutions around the world. Fulbrighters have included 46 heads of state or government, 63 Nobel Laureates, 93 Pulitzer Prize winners, 83 MacArthur Fellows, and countless leaders in all sectors and industries across the United States and around the world.
Editor’s Note: Thanks to Erin Boers for assistance in drafting this article.
