Emeritus Professor Pate was appointed foundation lecturer in Archaeology at Flinders University in 1990 following a two year post-doctoral research program in Archaeological Chemistry at Harvard University and the Australian National University. He currently holds Full Academic Status at Level E.

Pate has over 200 publications, including papers in 36 different journals internationally. He has provided expert assessment of research grant and fellowship applications for numerous global institutions.

His initial field training was in the North American Southwest and Great Basin. He has also conducted fieldwork and research in California, Chile, Antigua, Australia, the Pacific, and Italy. Research for Pate's MA, PhD, and post-doctoral studies were all completed in South Australia in association with the South Australian Museum, University of Adelaide, and CSIRO Land and Water.

He established stable isotope analyses of archaeological bones and teeth as new teaching and research areas in Australia. Today these areas are represented as major sub-disciplines of archaeological chemistry globally and in many universities throughout Australia and the surrounding regions. Pate's focus on Bio-Archaeology also includes the areas of human evolution, physical anthropology, human osteology, and forensic anthropology.

Major Research Areas:
Archaeological Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry
Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry
Bio-Archaeology
Anthropological Archaeology
Hunter-Gatherers
Human Ecology
Arid-land Ecosystems
Social Complexity
Australia, North America

Major Research Roles:

Editorial Board, Acta Palaeomedica: International Journal of Palaeomedicine (2021-present)

Team Leader, Adelaide Hills Face Zone-Glenthorne National Park- Ityamaiitpinna Yarta Archaeological Heritage Research Group (2019-present), with Dr Pamela Smith

Team Leader, Environment and Society Research Group, Archaeology, Flinders University (2016-2020), with Dr Mick Morrison and Dr Ian Moffat

Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Archaeology (2012-2016)

Coordinator, Archaeological Science Research Group, Flinders University-South Australian Museum (2010-2022)

Editor-in-Chief, Australian Archaeology (2000-2005)

Editor, Australian Archaeology (1999)

Team Leader, St Mary's Anglican Church Bioarchaeology Research Group (1999-present), with Professor Maciej Henneberg

Member, Biological Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy Research Unit, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide (1999-present)

Coordinator, Stable Isotope Archaeological Research Group, Flinders University (1990-2022)

Expert assessment of Research Grant and Fellowship applications (1994-present) for:
Australian Research Council
Austrian Science Fund
British Academy
National Science Foundation (USA)
Natural Environment Research Council (UK)
Royal Society of New Zealand
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (Canada)
Wellcome Trust (UK)

Provided Referee Services for 29 different journals since 1986

Research Associate, CSIRO Land and Water, Adelaide (1985-present)

Research Associate, Archaeology, South Australian Museum (1985-present)

Chief Investigator, The Adelaide Hills Face Zone Cultural Heritage Research Group (2002-2008)

Chief Investigator, Naracoorte World Heritage Research Group (1995-2006)

Research Grants:

Obtained over $4.5 million of funding from:

Australian Institute of Nucelar Science and Engineering (8 grants)

Australian Research Council (7 grants)

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (3 grants)

Department of Environment and Water (DEW), South Australia (3 grants)

National Parks and Wildlife Service, South Australia (2 grants)

DEETYA Work for the Dole Programme (1 grant)

Department of Environment and Natural Resources National Estate Grant Program (1 grant)

Department of Environment, Sport and Tourism, South Australia (1 grant)

Marsden Fund, Royal Society of New Zealand (1 grant)

Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society (1 grant)

Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research (1 grant)

Publication Overview:

2 books, 9 edited books
17 chapters in books
95 articles in 36 journals and 3 newsletters
12 commissioned reports, 14 research reports
4 films/videos, 2 GIS data bases, 46 research abstracts

Higher Degree Supervision:

Completed Theses Supervised
PhD: 26
MA: 7
MSc: 1
Master of Archaeology 7

Honours: 35
Grad Diploma:18