Chartered Institute for Archaeologists 2020

8 |  GENERAL INFORMATION INTRODUCTION Our Yearbook and directory is a useful source of information for professional archaeologists, and those working in related disciplines, development, construction, town and country planning, environment and members of the public who wish to contact professional archaeologists. The following sections describe the role of archaeologists, and the measures undertaken by their professional institute to help ensure that they can be trusted as technically competent, ethically sound professionals working for the greater good. WHAT IS THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE FOR ARCHAEOLOGISTS? The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) is the leading professional body representing archaeologists working in the UK and overseas. The objects of the Chartered Institute are ▪ to advance the practice of archaeology and allied disciplines; ▪ to define and maintain proper professional standards and ethics in training and education in archaeology, in the execution and supervision of work, and in the conservation of the archaeological heritage; and ▪ to disseminate information about archaeologists and their areas of interest WHAT DO ARCHAEOLOGISTS DO? Archaeologists study – and care for – the past through its physical remains. These remains whether built, buried, on land or underwater, extraordinary or every day, magnificent or mundane all contribute to our historic environment. The resources of the historic environment, like those of the natural environment, are for the benefit of everyone in society, today and in the future, and need to be treated with care and expertise. Archaeologists have a unique set of skills to tap into these resources – to find them, to explore them, to manage them and to realise their full potential for education and research, the improvement of our environment and the enrichment of people’s lives. HOW DO WE DELIVER OUR AIMS? Working with our professional archaeologists, employers, universities and training providers, government, trade unions, clients, other sector partners and other professional bodies we deliver our aims through: Training and development we provide access to training, good practice advice and guidance, and support to strengthen entry routes into the profession Networks we provide an active community of professional archaeologists to support and shape our profession Accreditation we recognise and promote the skills and competence of professional archaeologists Regulate the profession our Code of conduct and Standards and guidance define good, ethical practice in archaeology. They provide the organisation, structures and mechanisms for self-regulation, allowing the profession to take responsibility for the assurance of the quality of our work, monitor it, and hold members to account WHAT WE ACHIEVE Improving professional archaeology through ▪ competence and knowledge ▪ recognition and respect ▪ career pathways and prospects ▪ diversity and skills ▪ ethical awareness ▪ value and public benefit PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION INDIVIDUAL ACCREDITATION CIfA offers three categories of professional accreditation (Practitioner, Associate and Member) and two non-accredited grades (Student and Affiliate). ACCREDITED GRADES All professionally accredited archaeologists are required to abide by the institute’s Code of conduct and undertake 50 hours of CPD over two years. They have been assessed on their technical competence and ethical suitability including professional skills relevant to their grade. Accredited members carry full voting rights. ■ PRACTITIONER (PCIfA) Practitioner level of professional accreditation is open to those who have undertaken skilled tasks within the historic environment sector under the guidance of others, have carried out some complex work under a level of supervision, and perceives the context of their role. This is usually the grade to apply for if you are upgrading your membership from our non-accredited grades (Student or Affiliate) and are in the early stages of your career in the historic environment. ■ ASSOCIATE (ACIfA) Associate level of professional accreditation is open to those who have carried out, delegated or brought to conclusion pieces of work within the historic environment sector, with some autonomy but without holding ultimate responsibility. You will have some complex examples of work which can be co-authored. ■ MEMBER (MCIfA) Member level of professional accreditation is open to those with the highest level of responsibility within the historic