Institute of Field Archaeologists
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| Abbreviation | CIfA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1982 |
| Legal status | Professional organisation |
| Purpose | To advance the practice of archaeology and allied disciplines |
| Headquarters | Miller Building, University of Reading |
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Membership
|
3400 |
|
Chief Executive
|
Peter Hinton |
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Staff
|
14 |
| Website | http://www.archaeologists.net/ |
The Chartered 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 3500 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 CIfA'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 Miller Building, on the Whiteknights Campus of the University of Reading.
The Chartered 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 archaeology 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.
CIfA 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 Development facilities. Its publications include a quarterly magazine The Archaeologist, and a Yearbook and Directory. Members also receive a reduction on The Historic Environment, a journal published by Maney Publishing.
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