Burke obtained a bachelor's degree in archaeology from the University of New England in 1987, and a PhD from the same university in 1997. Her doctoral thesis investigated the expression of ideology through architectural style in the city of Armidale, New South Wales, during the period 1830–1930. It was published as Meaning and Ideology in Historical Archaeology (1999).
Before her appointment at Flinders, she taught briefly at the University of New England and worked as a consultant archaeologist.
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Selected publications
2017—H. Burke, M. Morrison and C. Smith. The Archaeologist’s Field Handbook. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. 2nd edition.ISBN 9781743318065.
2008—H. Burke, C. Smith and L. Zimmerman. The Archaeologist’s Field Handbook. North American Edition. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press. ISBN 0-7591-0882-X.
2008—H. Burke, C. Smith, D. Lippert, J. Watkins and L. Zimmerman (eds.) Kennewick: Perspectives on the Ancient One. Walnut Grove, CA: Left Coast Press. ISBN 978-1-59874-347-0.
2007—H. Burke and C. Smith. Archaeology to Delight and Instruct. Active Learning in the University Classroom. Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press. ISBN 978-1-59874-256-5.
2007—I. Domingo, H. Burke and C. Smith. Manual de Campo Para Arqueologos. Barcelona: Ariel Editorial. ISBN 978-84-344-5231-2.
2007—C. Smith and H. Burke. Digging it up Down Under: A Practical Guide to Doing Archaeology in Australia. New York: Springer. ISBN 0-387-35260-0.
2006—C. Smith and H. Burke. "Glass Ceilings, Glass Parasols and Australian Academic Archaeology." Australian Archaeology 62:13-25.
2004—H. Burke and C. Smith. The Archaeologist’s Field Handbook. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-862-5.
1999—H. Burke. Meaning and Ideology in Historical Archaeology: Style, Social Identity, and Capitalism in an Australian Town. New York: Plenum. ISBN 978-0-306-46066-1.
