Community Archaeology

CIfA Community Archaeology Group logo
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Committee
Chair
Jess Lowther
Secretary
Nina O'Hare
Treasurer
Frank Giecco
Committee member
Dickie Bennett
Committee member
Sarah-Jane Farr
Committee member
Perry Gardner
Committee member
Emily Johnston
Committee member
Richard McConnell
Advisor
Mike Nevell
Specialist competence matrix

Thank you to those who contributed to our consultation about the competency matrix. The specialist matrix is to assist applicants and the Validation committee to see where you demonstrate the grade applied for when working in community archaeology.

Community archaeology (PDF | 169.65 KB)
Three year plan
A photo of the Community SIG committee members holding a briefcase labelled 'toolkit'

The Community Archaeology Group (CAG) was originally established in 2011 as Voluntary and Community Archaeology Special Interest Group. We consider community engagement to be an integral part of professional archaeological practice and should be embedded in project design and delivery. Community engagement is a critical aspect of delivering public benefit through archaeology. The role of community archaeologists (paid or unpaid) is fundamental in this process.

  • To provide a recognised voice within CIfA for furthering the interests of community archaeologists and delivery of community engagement.
  • To embed community engagement in archaeological practice and support its meaningful delivery to the highest standard.
  • To advise the Board of Directors and its Advisory Council and committees on issues relating to community archaeology and engagement, both within the context of CIfA and within the discipline of archaeology.
  • To provide guidance to ensure that community archaeologists (and the organisations to which they belong), have the competence to carry out their roles to the highest possible standards.
  • To promote the adoption and implementation of CIfA Standards, guidance and policy by community archaeologists and the organisations to which they belong.
  • To work with partner organisations and stakeholders across the sector to support and promote community archaeology.
Group recordings and resources

This group session at the CIfA Conference 2019 explored how we can improve the community engagement aspect of archaeological investigations to maximise the potential for sustained engagement with local communities and to build long lasting, positive legacies. We are interested in hearing about attempts to do this from across the heritage sector.

View the CIfA Conference 2019 page to watch this session, as well as others.

 CIfA Conference 2019 recordings

On Thursday 22 May 2025 we led a discussion titled ‘Public Engagement in Archaeology - Proportional Participation' and explored how we can ensure that engagement strategies are appropriately scaled, inclusive and responsive to the communities we work with by utilising the Toolkit for Public Engagement. We discussed the toolkit component, public benefit and social value and active and passive participation.

You can view the slides for the presentation below.

Community Group tea break talk slides (PDF | 1.89 MB)
Group publications and newsletters
Group meeting minutes and documents
Community Group AGM and call for nominations

Our AGM is taking place at 12.00 - 13:00 on Tuesday 23 September. The full agenda is to follow, but we encourage you to join us to hear more about the work we have been involved with over the last 12 months, as well as what our plans are for the year ahead.

The meeting will be held on Teams and is open to all Group members. Registration is free and open now.

Register to attend our AGM

This year we are seeking nominations for a Secretary and an Ordinary committee member.

The Secretary is responsible for organising committee meetings, creating the agenda, taking brief meeting minutes and acting as a liaison between the Group and CIfA. The role would suit someone who is organised and is comfortable with administration tasks. 

Ordinary committee members undertake a variety of activities which mostly centre on their engagement with and contribution to committee meetings. They may also be involved with answering emails, helping with social media, developing resources for events and publications and more. The role would suit someone who is keen to be involved with a range of activities and comfortable contributing thoughts and ideas in our online meetings.

Further details can be found here. The deadline to express your interest in joining the committee is Wednesday 17 September. Either complete this form or email groups@archaeologists.net for more information.

Events

Event date
Community Archaeology Group Annual General Meeting