Community Archaeology

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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

Community Archaeology Group 3-year plan 2024 - 2027 (PDF | 137.43 KB)

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.

Join the Community Archaeology tea break talk

A purple banner with the title 'Public Engagement in Archaeology - Proportional Participation'

The Community Archaeology Group invites you to join us for our informal tea break talk which is taking place from 12:30 until 13:30 on Thursday 22 May 2025.

This session is titled ‘Public Engagement in Archaeology - Proportional Participation' and explores 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 will be discussing the toolkit component, public benefit and social value and active and passive participation.

To book your place and see full details about May's tea break talk go to the booking page. These sessions count as 1 hour of CPD if it meets objectives on your personal development plan.