This year’s FAME Forum will focus on design and value in development-led archaeology.

Development-led archaeology is a relatively young profession. During its formative years it has competed immaturely, driving prices down and undermining its perceived value to its clients.

The current market is largely a product of our own making, in which all parts of the profession – national agencies, local government, commercial and university-based practices, not-for-profit and charitable organizations – are complicit.

This year’s FAME Forum will bring together practitioners from both archaeology and related sectors, to ask

  • How can the market move from crude price-driven competition to more mature procurement, based on quality, outcome and enhanced value? 
  • What we can we learn from kindred professions about design, quality and value in a commercial marketplace? 
  • Are we in step with new strategies and digital developments in the construction sector? 
  • How can we design quality and innovation into archaeological work on major infrastructure projects? 
  • How will the priorities of new national heritage agencies affect the quality of archaeological practice? 
  • What will be the impact of IfA Chartership on the quality of archaeological practice in the UK? 

Speakers will include John Eynon of Open Water Consulting on Building Information Modelling, John Orrell of DLA Design Group on the RIBA Plan of Work, Jay Carver of Crossrail on project design in infrastructure archaeology, Steve Trow of English Heritage on the English Heritage New Model, and Peter Hinton of the IfA on the Royal Charter.

The Forum will take place in York, on Friday 27 June – this year for the first time in the spectacular setting of the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, one of the finest medieval guildhalls in the country.

The Forum is supported by York Archaeological Trust, and admission to the Forum provides free entry to the Trust’s many visitor attractions, including Jorvik Viking Centre, DIG York, Dig Hungate, Barley Hall, Monk Bar and Micklegate Bar, throughout the weekend.

Admission to the Forum is free to FAME members and £75 to non-members, including lunch, morning coffee and afternoon tea.

If you apply to join FAME, you will be entitled to free admission – an immediate saving of up to £150.

We are expecting a high demand for tickets, so advance booking is essential.

Click here for the programme and booking form