![Samantha Boyle - PCIfA (7140)](https://www.archaeologists.net/sites/default/files/images/testimonies/testimony-samantha-boyle.jpg)
I studied at Queen’s University Belfast and worked in field archaeology before joining Bristol Culture. I am currently based at Bristol Archives having previously worked with the Archaeology Curators as a CBA Community Archaeology Trainee. I joined CIfA in 2012 to increase my knowledge of the wider profession, the CPD opportunities and the many other benefits of being an accredited member of a professional organisation. In 2014, I joined the Diggers Forum committee, became Treasurer and took the lead in organising their conference session at Leicester in 2016.
Opportunities to work with the University of Sienna and Achill Archaeological Field School highlighted the importance of CPD, which has since become a passion, not only managing my own, but helping and encouraging others as well. I joined the Validation Committee in 2015 as I want to make a tangible contribution to the profession and, learning about the processes as a PCIfA, means that I gain a better understanding of them and can learn from more experienced members of the committee. Reading reports and articles about archaeological work taking place across the country is an added bonus.