Gail Carriger is an American archaeologist and author of steampunk fiction. Born in Bolinas, California, she attended Marin Academy for high school before going on to study at Oberlin College for her undergraduate degree. Carriger pursued advanced studies in archaeology and anthropology, earning a master of science in archaeological materials from the University of Nottingham in England in 2000, followed by a master of arts in anthropology from the University of California Santa Cruz in 2008. Her background in archaeology and anthropology has informed her work in fiction. Her contributions to literature were recognized when she received the Alex Awards in 2010.