Â鶹ֱ²¥ WELCOMES DARREN ASHBY AS NEW CHI PROGRAMS MANAGER
Dr. Darren P. Ashby joined Â鶹ֱ²¥ as Â鶹ֱ²¥ CHI’s Programs Manager on March 1. He previously worked at Â鶹ֱ²¥ from 2017 to 2019 where he reported on threats and damage to cultural heritage and led a project to document the current condition of Jewish cultural heritage in Iraq and Syria. In his new role, Darren will work with CHI leadership to support ongoing projects, strengthen relationships between Â鶹ֱ²¥â€™s members and partners, and further develop Â鶹ֱ²¥â€™s abilities to protect, preserve, and promote the rich cultural heritage of Southwest Asia and North Africa in collaboration with local communities, heritage professionals, and civil society organizations.
Darren received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations in 2017 with a specialization in the archaeology, art, and history of Ancient Mesopotamia. His doctoral research explored Early Bronze Age economy and society through the study of religious architecture excavated at Tell al-Hiba in Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq. After graduation, he pursued further archaeological research in Iraq as a member of field excavations at the sites of Tell al-Hiba, Nineveh, and Nimrud.
Most recently, he was Program Manager of the University of Pennsylvania’s Iraq Heritage Stabilization Program (IHSP) where he worked from 2019 to 2024. In this role, he worked closely with IHSP’s leadership and local and international partners to document, stabilize, and restore built and archaeological heritage in northern and central Iraq. Major projects include the restoration of the Sanctuary of Sheikh Adi at Lalish and the Monastery of St. George (Deir Mar Gorgis) in East Mosul with support from the U.S. Department of State as well as the restoration of a 19th-century home (Beit al-Tutunji) in Mosul’s Old City and the emergency assessment and stabilization of the Taq Kisra at Ctesiphon with support from the ALIPH Foundation.
Darren is excited to rejoin the Â鶹ֱ²¥ CHI team and eager to hear more from the Â鶹ֱ²¥ community about their thoughts on Â鶹ֱ²¥ CHI’s current work and future priorities. He can be reached at dashby@asor.org.