This FAQ resource answers many of the common questions we are asked about the annual CIfA conference. However, if you have a specific question please contact us at conference@archaeologists.net and we will be happy to help!
CIfA conference FAQs
Who is it for?
The theme and sessions for CIfA conference are based on professional archaeology, promoting standards, good practice and innovation. The conference is for anyone who wishes to know more about these topics.
Find out more about what we mean by professional archaeology.
Sessions and papers
An open call for sessions is issued in the summer ahead of the conference based on the theme we have chosen.
The proposals are then shortlisted to bring them down to the number of slots we have available in the conference timetable.
One the session topics are agreed we then issue an open call for papers.
Session organisers are responsible for selecting paper proposals which are most relevant for their session. Our guidance encourages session organisers to consider the diversity of speakers in terms of gender, ethnicity, career stage, geography, age or other underrepresented identities. We encourage diversity in the composition of our conference sessions in line with our Equal Opportunities Policy and encourage unique viewpoints, experiences, and perspectives from different disciplines.
Sessions are split into three different types:
Discussion (Traditional) – traditional paper format, with room for question and answers
Discussion (Seminar) – more open format, perhaps with one or two position papers, but with an emphasis on debate, discussion and outcomes
Workshop - a training workshop where the organisers have identified specified learning outcomes linked to National Occupational Standards (NOS)
Fee pricing
The fee for conference contributes towards design, overheads , IT, staff costs and providing bursaries.
For the online element of CIfA2023 it also contributes towards the cost of the bespoke online platform; for the face-to-face element this contributes towards the cost of venue hire and catering on-site.
The cost for in-person attendance also includes registation to the online days.
The conference is a very large event in the CIfA calendar and the cost of this is covered by delegates who attend rather than by all our members’ subscription fees.
CIfA members are offered reduced rates compared to non-member delegates.
For online sessions, we are charging speakers a nominal admininistration fee to provide access to the Sched platform. For in-person sessions, speakers are asked to pay the day delegate rate we are charged for the venue. This also includes food and refreshments.
Both speaker fees will allow you to attend any of the sessions, workshops or socials (live or recorded) taking place on that day as well as the one you are speaking in so you can also benefit from the CPD available.
We offer a range of bursaries to support attendance at the conference. Bursary applications will be opening soon.
You can find out more about this year's bursaries at CIfA2023: bursary options.
Digital platform
The online platform we are using has all the session information and links in one place, so you can easily keep track of your sessions and simply click to join. You can choose which live sessions to attend and watch recordings of any that you miss. All recordings will also be exclusively available on the platform to conference delegates for 90 days.
The platform also offers a range of other features to enhance networking, discussion and interaction, such as session chats before, during and following the session; an interactive social wall, a conference library as well as the ability to connect with other attendees to share contact details, to chat or to Zoom call any of your connections straight through the platform.
The platform is also available as an app so you can access the conference on the go from your phone or tablet.
Please visit our CIfA online events platform page to find out more about the platform we'll be using for the conference. Here, you'll also be able to find instructions and view some short demonstration videos on:
- logging into the portal
- accessing a conference session
- viewing a session recording
If you do however, have any further questions about the platform we'll be using or require any help with logging in or accessing the conference conference [at] archaeologists.net (please contact us).
CIfA is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, nationality, education, experience, career or speciality.
You can find out more about this and reporting inappropriate behaviour at CIfA Digital Conference Harassment Policy.
