For the first time, FAME is sponsoring a session at the annual IfA Conference. With the theme Understanding Significance, the conference and training event will take place at the University of Reading, from 13-15 April 2011.

FAME is sponsoring the opening session on the Southport Group: towards a revitalisation of professional practice, chaired by MOLA Managing Director and FAME committee member Taryn Nixon, Chair of the Southport Group.

The conference will focus on understanding significance as the key to assessing, managing and explaining the historic environment.

It will offer a programme of lectures on current issues, policy and best practice, and new techniques and developments in the profession.  In parallel there are practical training workshops developing skills and understanding in a range of subjects and new techniques. Both the lectures and workshops provide essential CPD opportunities for all practitioners in the sector.

The full programme will include

  • CPD logs, PDPs and training plans – Kate Geary, Institute for Archaeologists and Kenneth Aitchison, Landward Research Ltd
  • Characterisation – where next? – Emma Hancox and Adam Mindykowski, Worcestershire County Council
  • Southport Group: towards a revitalisation of professional practice – Taryn Nixon, Museum of London Archaeology and Chair of the Southport Group
  • Assessing the significance of iron objects and production remains – Evelyne Godfrey
  • The planning jigsaw: how does it all fit together? – Tim Howard, Institute for Archaeologists
  • Understanding and protection: the application of significance in the Historic Environment and the National Heritage Protection Plan – Paul Stamper, Edmund Lee and Charlotte Winter, English Heritage
  • Assessing significance underwater: just piles of old rocks, geophysical anomalies and shifting sands? – Paul Sharman, Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology and Caroline Wickham-Jones, University of Aberdeen
  • Essential writing skills for archaeologists – Alison Taylor, Institute for Archaeologists
  • Self employment and business start-ups – Tariq Mian, Towergate Risk Solutions
  • Aren’t we all in this together? The importance of partnership working – Susan Casey, RCAHMS and Jeff Sanders, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
  • Assessing significance for planning applications: preparing PPS5 – compliant reports for local authorities – Duncan McCallum, English Heritage and Sandy Kidd, Buckinghamshire County Council
  • New research possibilities for old finds – Andrew Jones, IfA Finds Group and Ian Panter, Principal Conservator, York Archaeological Trust
  • Training: promoting best practice – Archaeology Training Forum
  • Widening the audience for community archaeology: the significance of PPS5 – Austin Ainsworth
  • Highlights in British archaeology – David Jennings, Oxford Archaeology
  • Visualisation in archaeology – Garry Gibbons

For further information about how to book, details about the sessions and workshops, and a detailed timetable, visit the IfA website www.archaeologists.net/conferences.

Discounts on bookings apply until 21 March 2011.