International Practice

CIfA International Practice Group logo
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Committee
Chair
Leonora O'Brien
Vice-chair
Niamh Carty
Show bio
A photo and bio of Niamh Carty
Committee member
Max DuBois Jones
Committee member
Bill Finlayson
Committee member
Alice Hobson
Committee member
Ruth Humphreys
Committee member
Emily Dennis
Committee member
Adam Pietrzak
Advisor
Richard Hughes
Advisor
Charles Le Quesne
Advisor
Caroline Pathy-Barker
Advisor
Pete Hinton
Specialist competence matrix

This specialist matrix is to assist applicants and the Validation committee to see where you demonstrate the grade applied for when working Internationally.

International practice (PDF | 172.47 KB)

The International Practice group provides a forum for historic environment professionals working on projects and initiatives based outside of the UK and Republic of Ireland and advises CIfA Advisory Council on issues relevant to international practice of archaeological and cultural heritage management.

We are keen to strengthen the CIfA’s links with a number of international associations, organisations and initiatives involved in cultural heritage professional practice, capacity building and training. We would like to enhance international perspectives in CIfA, with a view to fostering innovation by learning from ongoing debates and advances in other countries and regions.

The International Practice Group will be acting as a think tank for the delivery of the CIfA strategic plan, with a particular focus on:

  • Promoting the advancement of archaeological and cultural heritage practice and initiatives on professional practice outside the UK and Ireland
  • Exploring issues related to professional standards, methodology, ethics, training and capacity building in countries and cultures with diverse social, cultural and legal systems
  • Working towards the preparation of an international code of conduct/best practice guide
  • Exchanging and developing knowledge, ideas and practical experiences, to develop best practice
  • Organising seminars and workshops to act as a forum for developing and maintaining best practice in matters relating to international cultural heritage
  • Establishing relationships and strengthening CIfA links with other international associations and organisations involved in international cultural heritage (e.g. EAA, ICOMOS, ICAHM, IAIA)
  • Advising Council on actions it might take in an advocacy role to effect advances in archaeological and heritage practice and management (e.g. European Union, Council of Europe, UNESCO)
  • Bringing together international commercial and academic practice on survey, research, heritage management and policy
  • Increase understanding of the role of archaeologists in society and improve our status
Group publications and newsletters

International Practice Group - Newsletter December 2023

The International Practice Group are working on the production of guides for anybody wishing to work in archaeology overseas. These contain a variety of useful information - guides to working in Norway and Hungary have already been produced. Please contact us at groups@archaeologists.net.

Guide to working in Norway (Kevin Wooldridge, IPSIG Liaison for Scandinavia)

Guide to working in Hungary (Zsolt Magyar, IPSIG Liaison for Central & Eastern Europe)

Group meeting minutes and documents
Group recordings and resources

On 22 October 2025, the International Practice Group hosted a networking and discussion session on the theme of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the context of UK ratification.

We shared a couple of case studies from work we had been involved with personally, and held an open discussion with attendees about their challenges and questions.

You can catch up on the recording of the presentation and the slides used by following the links below. 

IPSIG ICH presentation slides (PDF | 4.41 MB)

Intangible Cultural Heritage in context of UK ratification presentation 

Events

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