The 2019 IAI Conference will take place in the River Lee Hotel, Co. Cork on April 5th and 6th.
The Conference, “Now and Again: Current and Recurring Issues Facing Irish Archaeologists”, will examine the Archaeological Profession itself.
A number of Key Stakeholders have confirmed their attendance and will be giving position papers, including:
Michael MacDonagh, National Monuments Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; Johanna Vuolteenaho, Historic Environment Division, Department for Communities; Ronan Swan, Transport Infrastructure Ireland; Edel Bhreathnach, The Discovery Programme; James Kyle, UNITE – Archaeological Branch; Ian Doyle, Royal Irish Academy; Chelsea Ryan, Association of Young Irish Archaeologists; Ciara Brett, Local Authority Archaeology Officer Network; Maeve Sikora, National Museum of Ireland; FAME, the Federation of Archaeological Managers & Employers (speaker tbc).
In addition to the Stakeholder papers, we want to hear directly from the Membership. Currently registered to speak in this segment are: Charles Mount, Irish Concrete Foundation; Dr. Meriel McClatchie, UCD School of Archaeology; Liz Gardner and Sarah Nylund, Archaeological Illustrators; Dr. James Lyttleton, Irish Post-Medieval Archaeology Group; Faith Bailey, IAC Archaeology.
Those papers will be used as a starting point for Roundtable Discussions at the Conference to gather data and opinions on topics and issues facing the profession, such as the grading of archaeological practitioners; training of archaeological professionals; and “The Definition of an Archaeologist”. It is hoped that the concerns of Irish archaeologists that do not regularly present on the Conference circuit can be captured by this variable format. If you have a view on the challenges faced by the Profession, now is your chance to have it heard. The IAI wishes to hear from all types of archaeologists working today, to raise their concerns and issues that challenge the Profession. The Roundtable Discussions will be facilitated by Tina O’Dwyer (The Tourism Space). The discussion notes from the IAI 2018 conference, which sets a background for the IAI 2019 Roundtable are available to download – IAI 2018 Round TabIe (Click to download)