CIfA Conference 2026

Opening Session: Building connections through Scotland’s archaeology strategy

1. Welcome and Introduction to the theme
2. Scotland's Archaeology Strategy: A Reflection on the last ten years
3. Trainee to Practitioner
4. Partnerships and Collaborations
5. Scotland's Archaeology Strategy 2

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” Social value and public benefit in archaeology

1. "‘The Sound of Time: Contemporary Artistic Responses to Taxila’s Epistemologies’"
2. "Speaking their language reflections on Social Return on Investment"
3. "Till death us do part"
4. "From Store to Store’:"
5. "Proving Impact Without Killing Joy: an audit-ready social value model built on experiential learning and UN Sustainable Development Goal mapping"

From Silos to successes: the benefits of connecting environmental specialists in a Unitary world

1. Devolution doom
2. "Biodiversity Net Gain and the Historic Environment. Multi- disciplinary working for mutually positive outcomes"
3. "Chalk & Cheese? Cross-specialism collaboration in the Chillerns "
4. "What is Accessible?" The Grim's Ditch Virtual Tou "
5. Preservanda & Conservanda
6. "Will anybody ever see it?" - An archive before it's archived Making the most of the Discover Bucks Museum temporary display "
7. "Buckinghamshire's Local Heritage List "

Future-Proofing Archaeological Data: Lesson Learned, Innovation and Better Practice

1. "Building Resilient Infrastructure for Large-Scale Data Preservation:   An INGEST case study"
2. "A blueprint for an archaeology data exchange format "
3. Developing the Marine Historic Environment Record Service for England
4. "From Ownerless Property to Open to All:  Improving Digital Access to Scottish Treasure Trove data "
5. How do you Begin Applying Data Governance to a Legacy Data Organisation?
6. Geophysical Data: Are we perpetuating a data swamp?
7. Anchurus II
8. "FROM Tomb Raider  TO Tomb Recorder "
9. "CHRoMA: Addressing Accessibility in Cultural Heritage Mapping "

Disconnected by design? (or How do we design projects to connect with diverse stakeholders?)

1. Disconnected by design session intro
2. Challenges of Values-Led and Community-Centred Design: A Reflexive Analysis of two Digital Heritage Research Programmes
3. Stakeholders And Systems: Understanding The Ecosystem For Better Connection
4. Who gets to engage with the past?
5. Community Inclusion Opportunities within Finds Selection Process
6. Learning to Listen Reflections on how community stakeholders are shaping the developmentof community engagement on major infrastructure projects
7. The importance of being evaluated: Lessons from major infrastructure on achieving public benefit
8. From Engagement To Agency Reflexive Approaches to Archaeological Project Design?
9. "Beyond Compliance: Can Standards and Guidance Inspire Better Archaeological Project Design? "

Women in commercial archaeology: digital connection, safeguarding, representation and practical pathways for change

1. Women's Presence on Site
2. "Women of Colour in Commercial Archaeology Addressing Prejudice, Promoting Presence and Driving Progress "
3. "Commercial vs Curation - In conversation: divergent routes and convergent experiences "

Building connections: guidance for archaeology and solar farm development

1. Archaeology and solar farms: Good Practice Guide
2. Archaeology and Solar Farms Good Practice Guide: developer perspective
3. Employing Non-Intrusive Methods for Pre-Determination Solar Developments
4. "Best Practice Archaeology and Solar Farms Analytical Synthesis and the Good Practice Guide "

Launching OASIS+ modules in archaeobotany and zooarchaeology

1. " OASIS+ animal & plant remains modules A community designed accessible digital infrastructure "

Disseminating the results of archaeological research in the 21st century

1. Unearthing Audiences: Archaeology, Technology, and the Challenge of Dissemination
2. Time Travelling the search for a creative archaeological narrative
3. A moment on Site
4. Disseminating research through museum displays and exhibitions
5. The benefits ofARO- for contributors, communities and the wider audience
6. Reflecting on Trowel and Error, a public user needs survey for archaeology

Celebrating local government archaeology

1. PILGRIMS, SEA SERPENTS & THE PILRIG MUDDLE Archaeology in Edinburgh 2006-2026
2. Archaeology and development management in Northern Ireland ALGAO 2026
3. "ALGAO:CYMRU Parks and Castles and Polygons, Oh my "
4. Archaeology and Local Government A view from South West England
5. " 20 Years of HERs in the UK Reflection and Foresight "
6. ALGAO UK 20th Anniversary: Urban Archaeology- successes and challenges
7. Archaeology in the Landscape: the workof the Countryside Committee

Intangible cultural heritage: shifting perspectives in UK and international practice

1. "Living Heritage in the UK: A Participatory Approach to Implementing the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of lntangible Cultural Heritage "
2. Intangible Cultural Heritage and Nature Recovery: The view from Natural England
3. Approaches to intangible social values: methods and practices
4. Capturing the social and culture value of churches at moments of change
5. Protection through connection

Heritage science: connecting scientific domains through heritage

1. "Edinburgh's First Burghers Edinburgh's First Burghers Revealing the Lives and Hidden Faces of Edinburgh's Medieval Citizens through Innovative Technologies and Interdisciplinary Approaches "
2. (Re)Making the 1st Millennium Liking the heritage sector through metal chemistry

Foundations and futures: building connections in Scotland’s archaeological landscape

1. Foundations and Futures: Building Connections in Scotland's Archaeological Landscape
2. "The Importance of Strategic Drive at a National Level "
3. "Scottish Archaeology Strategy Reflections "
4. "Foundations and Futures: A shift in skills conversation? "
5. NPF4
6. "NPF4 and Public Benefit "
7. All the cool stuff...

Please find our call for papers below. Six sessions are currently calling for papers:

• "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" Social value and public benefit in archaeology
• Disconnected by design? (Or how do we design projects to connect with diverse stakeholders?)
• Women in commercial archaeology: Digital connection, safeguarding, representation, and practical pathways for change
• Future-proofing archaeological data: Lesson learned, innovation and better practice
• Disseminating the results of archaeological research in the 21st century
• Intangible cultural heritage: Shifting perspectives in UK and international practice
   

Delegate registration is now open!

Book your place

Exhibitor registration is fully booked! Please find our exhibitor brochure below and feel free to contact us with any questions.

If you wish to book a sponsorship package, please contact conference@archaeologists.net

The conference provides a great platform for networking—not just in the exhibition and catering hall, but at our social events. Make sure you check out the evening events on offer when you book your place to maximise your networking time.

We are now accepting applications for bursary places at conference. We are pleased to announce we have 15 bursaries available this year. All bursaries cover registration costs for conference and some provide funding to subsidise travel and accommodation. 

The bursary application window is open until 12 April, or when funds are fully allocated. Applications will be processed in the order in which they are received, so apply as soon as you can!

CIfA2026's theme is Building connections.

The objective of CIfA's annual conference is to showcase archaeological practice and innovation, providing a place for discussion and learning from each other's experiences to create a stronger, more resilient archaeological community.

Shutterstock

We have two confirmed social events to accompany the conference programme. On Monday evening before conference there will be a public engagement pop up at Augustine United Church from 20:30. Drinks and nibbles will be provided; registration is requested.

Edinburgh Street Food

On Tuesday evening after the day's sessions, there will be an optional conference dinner. Book to join us at Edinburgh Street Food from 18:30 for an evening of food and networking.

We are finalising possible excursions for the Monday afternoon before conference begins, please keep an eye open for more information! Excursions will be booked separate from conference registration, so please do not wait to book for conference.

Before kicking off CIfA2026, we will have two optional excursions for locals or delegates arriving into town the day before conference.

Join members of CIfA's Scottish Area Group for a guided tour of the National Museum of Scotland, or a walking tour of Holyrood Park including a look at the field school on site.

Bookings are independent of conference registration and you can book your place here.

28 Years of the Museum of Scotland
Shutterstock	Shutterstock
Dr Rebecca Jones will be hosting a small group session to present the past, present and future of the Scotland Galleries in the National Museum of Scotland (NMS). The session will highlight the design and architecture of the NMS, as well as discuss the benefits and challenges of displays which are over a quarter of a century old. Come and join for a fascinating insight into the NMS! Start time is 15:30, NMS closes at 17:00.
Holyrood Park Walking Tour
Shutterstock	Shutterstock
Working together for the future of a unique landscape Join Professor Jon Henderson (University of Edinburgh) and Rachel Pickering (HES) on a walking tour of Holyrood Park. Learn about the ongoing research and recent investigations carried out by the Holyrood Park Field School - a partnership project grant funded by HES with the University of Edinburgh and AOC Archaeology.  Over the last 5 years the field school has provided valuable skills and practical experience to undergraduate students - training the next generation of archaeologists. At the same time, the project is directly supporting key management objectives in HES' Landscape Conservation Management Plan. Learn all about recent discoveries, current challenges and future aspirations, and hear insights from past students. Please note that this involves walking over rough and uneven terrain and some short but steep routes. Estimated walk length is approximately 3 miles.  Start time is 15:00, this excursion is anticipated to take 2 hours.

University of Edinburgh

CIfA2026 will be held at the John McIntyre Conference Centre at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Sessions will be held over 28 and 29 April between the Conference Centre and the South Hall Complex.

University of Edinburgh

The entire conference complex is part of the Pollock Estate at the foot of Arthur's Seat, just 2.5 miles from both Waverley and Haymarket Stations.

From the University of Edinburgh events team

Inspired by the past, built for the future. Located at the foot of Edinburgh’s iconic extinct volcano, Arthur’s Seat, the John McIntyre Conference Centre (JMCC) offers flexible state-of-the-art facilities to make sure your conference or event is successful and inspiring.

Sustainability is a core value for us, and we are committed to providing our delegates with delicious and nutritious food that is produced with the environment and social responsibility in mind.

CIfA has partnered with Delegate Hotels to create a conference accommodation booking portal. The accommodation booking portal shows a number of accommodation options from participating hotels in Edinburgh. The prices shown are the most up-to-date based on current availability.

Additionally, the University of Edinburgh have provided us with a discount code to book accommodation directly with their in-house hotels. Delegates can use the code “EVENT” when booking accommodation via https://www.uoecollection.com/ for up to 15% off within The Scholar Hotel or the KM Hotels & Apartments or up to 10% off within The Scott Hotel (all subject to availability).

Please note that the above booking portal does not include all accommodation options. Budget options (Premier Inn, Travelodge, hostels, independent bed and breakfasts) often do not participate in these schemes. We have also had reports from delegates that travel broker sites (eg booking.com and similar) have continued to provide competitive rates.

Kindly note that Edinburgh is a popular destination with a limited capacity in the city centre. Public transport throughout the city is excellent, so do check if a more affordable accommodation option might be within easy bussing distance! We encourage you to book your accommodation in advance to avoid disappointment.

CIfA aims to be as accessible and inclusive as possible - see our event accessibility policy as well as our event harassment policy.

The University of Edinburgh has worked with AccessAble to provide accessibility guides for their various venues. You can find the guides for our conferencing spaces linked below:

• John McIntyre Conference Centre overview
  • Pentland West
  • Pentland East
• South Hall Complex overview
  • South Hall
  • Kirkland Room

We will have access to quiet space at conference; please liaise directly with the events team for further information. If you have any requests or suggestions for how we can make the conference more accessible for you, please do get in touch at conference@archaeologists.net.