Information Management

CIfA Information Management Group logo
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Committee
Chair
Laura O'Connor
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  • Project Lead of Digital Twin technology implementation at Historic Environment Scotland
  • 15+ years experience in archaeological survey, including HS2 sites, Mousa Broch and Roman Baths
  • BA and MPhil in Archaeology, MSc in Heritage Visualisation and HDip in GIS

  • Accredited CIfA member since 2019

    A photo of Laura O’Connor
Vice-chair
Katie Green
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  • Head of Collections at the Archaeology Data Service
  • 20 years experience in excavation, outreach, and digital preservation
  • Holds a BA, MA, and a PhD in Archaeology, specialising in Byzantine landscapes and GIS

  • Accredited CIfA member since 2018

    A photo of Dr. Katie Green
Committee member
Jessica Irwin
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  • Archives Manager at Wessex Archaeology
  • 25 years of experience in commercial and research archaeology both in the UK and abroad
  • BSc in Archaeological Sciences and a Level 5 Apprenticeship in Operational Management 

  • Accredited CIfA member since 2015, representing CIfA and the Archaeological Archives Group on the OASIS Management Board

    A photo of Jessica Irwin
Committee member
Eileen Kerhouant
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  • PhD candidate in Durham Uni
  • Expertise in GIS, remote sensing, and digital landscape research with MSc degrees in Environmental Studies and Archaeological Information Systems.

  • Worked with EAMENA and mentors in the Women+ in Geospatial programme.

    A photo of Eileen Kerhouant
Committee member
Theodora Anastasiadou
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  • BA and MA in Greek Archaeology (Bham), MA in Archaeological Heritage Management (York)
  • 23 years of experience in commercial archaeology and archaeological archives,  promoted to Head of Archives by MOLA  in 2022, overseeing teams and the digital delivery of HS2 archives.

  • Chair of CIfA's Archaeological Archives Group

    A photo of Theodora Anastasiadou
Committee member
Thomas Cromwell (MA, Grad Dipl(Cons)AA)
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Tom Cromwell is a Senior Archaeologist at Historic England.

Developing and running field excavations, Tom’s research interests cover medieval and post-medieval archaeology and buildings - especially medieval Church/ Monastic development, fortresses, and post-medieval gardens.

Having provided expertise in metric survey and CAD skills for over three decades, he is also heavily involved in the development of digital recording techniques for excavations as well as archiving of digital data.

A photo of Thomas Cromwell
Advisor
Gary Duckers
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  • Gary is current a Heritage ICT Consultant at Idox Software Ltd. Prior to joining Idox, Gary worked at the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust as a Historic Environment Record Officer, Historic Environment Information Manager and latterly Head of Technology, Information and Planning.
  • Gary holds a BA in Archaeology (University of Chester), a MA in Landscape Archaeology, GIS and Virtual Environments (University of Birmingham) and a PhD (University of Chester). He possesses a multi-disciplinary background, and prior to his work at Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust worked across the charity, commercial archaeology and academic sectors developing a broad skill set through lecturing on landscape archaeology, GIS and surveying and designing/delivering community/outreach archaeological projects. Research interests include the archaeological applications of GIS and remote sensing technology, border studies, the role of cartography in heritage management and archaeological data management. He is also a Chartered Geographer (CGeog GIS), a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society [FRGS].
  • A photo of Dr. Gary Duckers
Advisor
Simon Parsons
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  • Chartered IT Professional with a lifelong passion for archaeology. 
  • Volunteering since 1976, experienced in excavation, field walking, geophysics, recording, archiving, and heritage reporting.
  • Skilled in blending technical expertise with hands-on heritage work. 
Specialist competence matrix

The specialist matrix is to assist applicants and the Validation committee to see where you demonstrate the grade applied for when working in Information management.

Information management (PDF | 177.22 KB)
Three year plan

CIfA's Information Management Special Interest Group represents the interests of professionals who work or have an interest in the area of information management. The group aims to promote standards and good practice relevant to the management of all aspects of historic environment and wider heritage sector information through the activities of the CIfA.

The group focuses on how those working in the historic environment/ heritage sector create, access and share digital data together with the standards involved in these processes. Our work relates to

  • data capture and recording practice
  • recording system design
  • archiving of digital data
  • promoting access to information
  • re-use of digital archives

The Information Management Group works to coordinate, develop, maintain and promote standards for the recording of heritage information, to promote best practice and share experience in the application of information standards, and promote and seek involvement in the future development of existing data standards.

Image competition for IMSIG

We are on the hunt for a new image for our group publicity banner and we want your help!

We are running a competition to find eye-catching images that reflect the theme of Information Management in the past, present and future. These can be photos or drawings.

The winner will get their design printed as the main image on our Group's banner and future promotional materials. They will also receive a £25 voucher to use for any CIfA CPD event.

To be in with a chance of winning please send your entries to CIfA.IMSIG@gmail.com by Thursday 1 May 2025. 

All entrants must be willing for their image to be used on Information Management banner and promotional materials for public dissemination, but copyright will remain with the artist and be clearly displayed where it is shared. Entries should be no less than 5Mb each.

The winner will be chosen by the Information Management Group committee and will be announced shortly after the closing date.

Information Management Group's tea break lecture series - new for 2025!

The Information Management SIG are running a series of online tea break lectures to explore the fascinating world of digital data.

Our first session is being held online on Tuesday 20 May 2025 from 12:30 until 13:30 BST and is titled ‘CHRoMA: addressing interoperability of archaeological survey data through a colour vision friendly thematic map key’ by Peter McKeague. Find out more and register to attend here.

Our second session will follow on Wednesday 18 June 2025. from 12:30 until 13:30 BST titled ‘Enabling Interoperable Cultural 3D Data with IIIF’ by Thomas Flynn. Find out more and register to attend here.

These sessions count as 1 hour of CPD if it meets objectives on your personal development plan.