Cumming, Georgia, United States
Jeff Emanuel << https://emanuel.scholars.harvard.edu >> is an archaeologist and associate director of academic technology at Harvard University. A sought-after speaker and teacher, Jeff's research addresses modern social and cultural anthropological topics as well as ancient studies. The latter focuses on biblical archaeology, a field that encompasses the ancient Near Eastern and wider Mediterranean contexts of scripture, with an emphasis on maritime conflict – warfare, raiding, and piracy – and population movements, including the Philistines and early Israelites. In his academic technology role, Jeff leads a high-performing team responsible for developing, implementing, and providing training on digital tools, methods, and platforms for teaching, learning, and research. An experienced leader, teacher, consultant, and digital strategist, Jeff was previously a founding member of HarvardX, a presidential initiative in open online learning at Harvard. He has also worked as a consultant, project manager, technical lead, and digital strategist for businesses, nonprofits, and campaigns across the country. Jeff studied Classical Archaeology at the University of Georgia, where he was also a leadership fellow at the Center for International Trade and Security. Following this, he studied Social and Cultural Anthropology and Archaeology at Harvard. He has also pursued academic and professional development in a variety of subjects, including Data Science, Leadership, Programming, and Education. Additionally, he holds an associate's in Information Systems from the Community College of the Air Force. Jeff is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and a former U.S. Air Force Special Warfare operator, serving in Korea in 2002, and in Iraq in 2003 as a member of a Joint Special Operations task force. He also returned to Iraq in 2007 as a civilian combat journalist.
◙ Lead high-performing team of technical, digital, and pedagogical experts. Research, develop, implement, and support digital tools and approaches to teaching, learning, and research for Harvard University's largest school, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), with over 1,100 faculty, 1,000 researchers, and 10,000 students across Harvard College, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. << https://atg.fas.harvard.edu >> ◙ Drive R&D, implementation, infrastructure, and communication strategy for high-visibility, high-impact digital methods, tools, platforms, and publications, with emphasis on data science and visualization, digital storytelling, and immersive mobile experiences. << https://scholar.harvard.edu/emanuel/grants-and-projects >> ◙ Develop and maintain close partnerships across a highly-diverse, widely-distributed University community, emphasizing collaboration and communication in support of effective pedagogy and research. ••• Co-founder of Harvard University Digital Scholarship, a highly collaborative network of diverse stakeholders and subject matter experts from over a dozen organizations. Provides faculty, students, and staff with with digital literacy and research training, develops and supports tools and platforms, and facilitates access to resources distributed across the University << https://dssg.fas.harvard.edu/about >>. ◙ Collaboratively organize events at Harvard University and beyond, including the First Annual Boston Area Digital Scholarship Symposium (April 11, 2019). ◙ Certified in IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL), Agile Methodology, User Experience (UX) and Digital Accessibility (a11y), Information Security, Project Management, and more.
◙ Research focus on the Aegean and the Biblical World (Asia Minor, the Levant, and Egypt), particularly during the transition from the Late Bronze to the Early Iron Age. Research emphases on (1) naval warfare, piracy, and the development and spread of maritime technology, (2) societal changes and the movement of peoples – particularly seafarers and migrants, including Aegeans, Philistines and other 'Sea Peoples,' and early Israelites, and (3) the development and evolution of the Bible and biblical society. ◙ Published books include "The Sea Peoples, the Philistines, and the Bible" (Cambridge University Press, 2026), "Naval Warfare and Maritime Conflict in the Late Bronze-Early Iron Age Mediterranean" (Brill, 2021) and "Black Ships and Sea Raiders: The Late Bronze and Early Iron Age Context of Odysseus’ Second Cretan Lie" (Lexington, 2017) ◙ Authored >20 chapters, articles, and encyclopedia entries in academic books and peer-reviewed publications, including (e.g.) The Oxford Handbook of the Phoenician and Punic Mediterranean; the Journal of Ancient Near Eastern Religions; Palestine Exploration Quarterly; The Qumran Chronicle; Mediterranean Archaeology; Digital Archaeologies, Material Worlds; 21st Century Archaeology; Encyclopedia of the Sea in World History; and several more. ◙ Publications, conference presentations, lectures, and edited volumes are available at https://emanuel.scholars.harvard.edu and https://harvard.academia.edu/JeffEmanuel (links below)
◙ Founding member of HarvardX, a presidential initiative utilizing web-based technology to impact teaching, learning, and research within Harvard University and beyond. ◙ Leader operating at the nexus of tech startup and academia in a fast-paced, demanding, and highly fluid environment with a premium on research and pedagogy. ••• Ensure quality and help guide HarvardX’s evolution as inaugural co-chair of Instructor and Learner Experience committees. ◙ ‘Showrunner’ responsible for all aspects of development for learning modules and open online courses, including complex project management, production, devising pedagogical strategy and approach, and leading curricular and instructional design. ◙ Lead software and infrastructure development with particular focus on Digital Asset Management (DAMS), API-based interaction with digital assets, and collaborative annotation. ◙ Closely collaborate and manage relationships with dozens of participating organizations and stakeholders, including Harvard Libraries, Faculty of Arts & Sciences, Derek Bok Center for Teaching & Learning, Harvard IT, CHS, edX, and more ◙ Advise and assist faculty in residential application of emerging technologies and content, including those created by HarvardX, as a member of the FAS Blended Learning Support Team. ••• Co-instructor of blended learning track in the quarterly HarvardX Faculty Academy. ••• Lead HarvardX partnership with University Museums and Libraries. ◙ Publish original scholarship, organize symposia, and present at conferences. ◙ Mentor and train Fellows and Producers, providing guidance on project management, instructional tech, and all other aspects of course design, production, and delivery. ◙ Guide the ongoing transformation of scholarship through innovative technology as a Core Committee member of Harvard's interdisciplinary Digital Futures Consortium << http://digitalfuturesconsortium.org >>
◙ Founded Lighthouse Strategies & Consulting, Inc., a client-oriented consulting and web-based technology development business. ◙ Digital communication strategy consultant, focusing on marketing, analytics, and the design and development of websites and web-based products for nonprofits, small businesses, and academic organizations. ◙ Define information architecture (IA) requirements, build, and manage dynamic websites and web apps, utilizing WordPress and Drupal content management systems as well as Python/Django/Flask, JavaScript, and PHP libraries and frameworks.
◙ Senior developer and technologist at Flat Creek Digital, a unique interactive agency focused on developing new products and services that blend communications and technology. ◙ Responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining state-of-the-art, dynamic websites and online strategies for business, nonprofit, and campaign clients. ◙ Develop, manage, and integrate full suite of business technology services, including interactive websites, weblogs, e-commerce (virtual storefront), and email marketing operations. ◙ Conduct real time and deep-dive analyses of web analytics (social media, ad campaigns, web site traffic, and more), and provide actionable insights to help clients achieve maximum online ROI.
◙ Promoted into a position that was created specifically to take advantage of my digital marketing and communication experience and skills. ••• Developed online content strategy for all 30 Cbeyond web properties, as well as digital marketing and advertising campaigns. ••• Single point of contact, relationship manager, and quality control ‘gatekeeper’ for all online content and content providers; published > 250 unique items and 2 digital communication-related white papers per month. ••• Spearheaded initiative to replace one-size-fits-all national marketing with geo-targeted, market-specific digital communication strategy and developed and implemented highly successful Search Engine Optimization strategy. ••• Conceived, designed, and developed 14 market-specific websites tailored to optimize customer connection and outreach.
◙ Tasked with spearheading a strategic, data-driven revision of service management for accounts representing top 1% of annual revenue (>$10,000,000) to ensure optimal experience throughout the life of the account. ◙ Member of seven-person team managing accounts representing top 1% of annual revenue (~$10 million).
◙ Recognized with company's prestigious "Jim Markle Award for Excellence Without Exception." ◙ Responsible for solving complex technical and service-related issues and retaining accounts identified as being in jeopardy. ◙ Set company records for number of customers retained in a single month multiple times; single-handedly prevented the loss of >300 customers and preserved >$4,000,000 in revenue. ◙ Authored company's customer retention Best Practices manual.