Institute of Field Archaeologists
Encyclopedia
The Institute for Archaeologists is a professional organisation
for archaeologists working in the United Kingdom
. It was founded in 1982 to represent the profession and currently has over 2,500 members drawn from all areas of the archaeological community.
Membership is by election following a satisfactory demonstration of archaeological experience and competence and an undertaking to abide by the Institute's Code of conduct. The IfA's aims are to advance the practice of archaeology and allied disciplines by promoting professional standards and ethics for conserving, managing, understanding and promoting enjoyment of the heritage.
The institute's headquarters are located within the School of Human and Environmental Science, on the Whiteknights Campus
of the University of Reading
.
in the 1960s and 70s. An increasing number of archaeologists came to feel a need for a body to maintain standards, tackle poor working conditions, give archaeologists a national voice and create a real profession. The Council for British Archaeology
after some debate decided not to take on this mantle so in 1979 the Association for the Promotion of Field Archaeologists was launched and canvassed opinion on what form the new body should take. Elections were held and APIFA handed over responsibility to the first council on the 21 December 1982. The first chair and Member No 1 was Professor Peter Addyman and other notable early members were Mick Aston
(21), Philip Barker and Francis Pryor
(15).
In 2008, after many years of debate, the institute changed its name in order to attract professionals from the wider historic environment sector.
facilities. Its publications include a quarterly magazine The Archaeologist
, and a Yearbook and Directory. Members also receive a reduction on the The Historic Environment, a journal published by Maney Publishing
.
Affiliate, Student and Honorary membership are also available. Student membership is open to students in full or part time at under- or post-graduate level, where archaeology is studied in equal or greater weight to another subject. Student membership is retained for up to 12 months after graduation after which it is automatically transferred to Affiliate membership. Affiliate membership is open to those who have an active interest in archaeology but do not yet qualify for a corporate grade. Honorary Membership is awarded in a general meeting to those who have served archaeology and the IfA with distinction. Honorary Members are not corporate members but retain their corporate membership if applicable and so retain voting rights.
, where the workings of the IfA are challenged. This has often resulted in dialogue and has been beneficial in removing the image of the IfA being a "hidden organisation" from the contracting archaeologist.In recent years the IfA has done much to address these criticisms, improving its disciplinary and complaints procedures and committing significant resources to dealing with allegations of misconduct and complaints against members and Registered Organisations. With regard to pay and conditions, the IfA has set up the Diggers' Forum (a special interest group specifically formed to represent the interests of diggers); produced recommended minima for pay and other benefits (which are to be binding upon organisations registered with the IfA); played a large part in the production of Occupational Standards for archaeology and is continuing to work with the union, Prospect
to benchmark salary levels against other industries (realistically a pre-requisite to any form of industry-wide pay bargaining framework).
Professional body
A professional association is usually a nonprofit organization seeking to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest.The roles of these professional associations have been variously defined: "A group of people in a...
for archaeologists working in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It was founded in 1982 to represent the profession and currently has over 2,500 members drawn from all areas of the archaeological community.
Membership is by election following a satisfactory demonstration of archaeological experience and competence and an undertaking to abide by the Institute's Code of conduct. The IfA's aims are to advance the practice of archaeology and allied disciplines by promoting professional standards and ethics for conserving, managing, understanding and promoting enjoyment of the heritage.
The institute's headquarters are located within the School of Human and Environmental Science, on the Whiteknights Campus
Whiteknights Park
Whiteknights Park, or the Whiteknights Campus of the University of Reading, is the principal campus of that university. The park covers the area of the manor of Earley Whiteknights, also known as Earley St Nicholas and Earley Regis.Whiteknights Park is some two miles south of the centre of the town...
of the University of Reading
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...
.
History
The Institute for Archaeologists was founded as the Institute of Field Archaeologists to represent the growing number of 'professional' archaeologists, caused by the increase in rescue archaeologyRescue archaeology
Rescue archaeology, sometimes called "preventive" or "salvage" archaeology, is archaeological survey and excavation carried out in areas threatened by, or revealed by, construction or other development...
in the 1960s and 70s. An increasing number of archaeologists came to feel a need for a body to maintain standards, tackle poor working conditions, give archaeologists a national voice and create a real profession. The Council for British Archaeology
Council for British Archaeology
Established in 1944, the is an educational charity working throughout the UK to involve people in archaeology and to promote the appreciation and care of the historic environment for the benefit of present and future generations...
after some debate decided not to take on this mantle so in 1979 the Association for the Promotion of Field Archaeologists was launched and canvassed opinion on what form the new body should take. Elections were held and APIFA handed over responsibility to the first council on the 21 December 1982. The first chair and Member No 1 was Professor Peter Addyman and other notable early members were Mick Aston
Mick Aston
Professor Michael Antony 'Mick' Aston is a prominent English archaeologist. As an academic, he has taught at a number of universities across the United Kingdom, and has helped popularise the discipline amongst the British public by appearing as the resident academic on the Channel 4 television...
(21), Philip Barker and Francis Pryor
Francis Pryor
thumb|180px|Francis Pryor discusses the excavation during the filming of a 2007 dig for [[Time Team]] with series editor Michael Douglas ....
(15).
In 2008, after many years of debate, the institute changed its name in order to attract professionals from the wider historic environment sector.
Services
The IfA is responsible for the production and maintenance of a Code of conduct along with a variety of Standards and Guidance documents and policy material. As well as lobbying and making representations to national and local government and other agencies on behalf of its members, it organises conferences and outreach and training initiatives (including the administration of workplace learning bursaries and the development of vocational qualifications) and hopes soon to provide on-line Continuing Professional DevelopmentContinuing Professional Development
Continuing professional development or Continuing professional education is the means by which people maintain their knowledge and skills related to their professional lives.-CPD research:...
facilities. Its publications include a quarterly magazine The Archaeologist
The Archaeologist
The Archaeologist is a quarterly magazine produced by the Institute for Archaeologists for its members. Non-members can purchase the magazine directly from the institute. It is currently edited by Alison Taylor...
, and a Yearbook and Directory. Members also receive a reduction on the The Historic Environment, a journal published by Maney Publishing
Maney Publishing
Maney Publishing is an independent Academic publishing company specialising in peer-reviewed academic journals in materials science and engineering, the humanities, and health science. The company has offices in Leeds and London in the United Kingdom, and in Boston and Philadelphia in the United...
.
Individual
The IfA offers three corporate grades of membership: Practitioner (PIfA) grade is the first level of corporate membership; Associate (AIfA) grade provides an intermediate level and Members (MIfAs) represent the highest level of corporate membership open to those with the greatest level of responsibility and competence. Corporate members may be professional or amateur archaeologists and are permitted to use the relevant four letter abbreviation after their names. All corporate members have full voting rights within the Institute.Affiliate, Student and Honorary membership are also available. Student membership is open to students in full or part time at under- or post-graduate level, where archaeology is studied in equal or greater weight to another subject. Student membership is retained for up to 12 months after graduation after which it is automatically transferred to Affiliate membership. Affiliate membership is open to those who have an active interest in archaeology but do not yet qualify for a corporate grade. Honorary Membership is awarded in a general meeting to those who have served archaeology and the IfA with distinction. Honorary Members are not corporate members but retain their corporate membership if applicable and so retain voting rights.
Organisation
In 1996 the IfA launched a Register of Archaeological Organisations (RAOs) which provides a quality assurance scheme for archaeological organisations. As of December 2006 there are 55 organisations on the register.Issues
Critics contend that the IfA has done little to improve the pay and conditions of low-ranking archaeologists and has been unwilling to discipline members who have transgressed the Code of conduct. There are also frequent references to the IfA on BAJR ForumBritish Archaeological Jobs Resource
The British Archaeological Jobs Resource began in 1999 as organisation run by an archaeologist for archaeologists and heritage workers and claims to rank alongside the national institutions of archaeology in the United Kingdom, such as the IFA, CBA, Rescue...
, where the workings of the IfA are challenged. This has often resulted in dialogue and has been beneficial in removing the image of the IfA being a "hidden organisation" from the contracting archaeologist.In recent years the IfA has done much to address these criticisms, improving its disciplinary and complaints procedures and committing significant resources to dealing with allegations of misconduct and complaints against members and Registered Organisations. With regard to pay and conditions, the IfA has set up the Diggers' Forum (a special interest group specifically formed to represent the interests of diggers); produced recommended minima for pay and other benefits (which are to be binding upon organisations registered with the IfA); played a large part in the production of Occupational Standards for archaeology and is continuing to work with the union, Prospect
Prospect (trade union)
Prospect is a United Kingdom trade union which represents engineers, managers, scientists and other specialists in both the public and private sectors. It was formed on 1 November 2001 by the merger of the trade unions the Institution of Professionals Managers and Specialists and the Engineers and...
to benchmark salary levels against other industries (realistically a pre-requisite to any form of industry-wide pay bargaining framework).