Her field research centers on the archaeology of late pre-Hispanic societies in the south-central Andes, with a particular interest in Andean warfare in practice and representation. Her publications include Hillforts of the Ancient Andes (2011), The Archaeology of Warfare (2006, coedited with Mark Allen), and articles on Andean warfare, social identity, political power, and archaeological interpretation. She held a research fellowship at Dumbarton Oaks in 2009–2010.