About me:

I originally obtained a BA and an MA in Egyptology from the University of Liverpool, particularly focussing on Early Dynastic Egypt. My MA was funded by the then AHRB, with my dissertation being published in the University of Basel's Aegyptiaca Helvetica journal.

After an unplanned detour in the NHS, I then completed an MA in Landscape Archaeology at the University of Bristol in 2011-12, gaining a distinction. My dissertation was a study of an intact Cold War weapons testing site at St Thomas's Head, north of Weston Super Mare.

On completion of my Masters, I was employed by Cotswold Archaeology to write Desk Based Assessments and Settings Assessments on a range of sites throughout England and Wales.

I am now undertaking a PhD having obtained a joint doctoral studentship from the University of Exeter and the University of Bristol. My PhD will investigate the history and landscapes of medieval and early post-medieval rabbit warrens of South West England.

Research Project:

This research will investigate the history and landscapes of medieval and early post-medieval rabbit warrens in South West England.

The following key questions will be addressed:

• are there are any geographic trends relating to the architectural remains of these warrens and associated features?
• What are the relationships between warrens and geological, topographical and hydrological landscape features as well as to other archaeological features, both contemporary and earlier?
• Is it possible to provide evidence for dating the region’s warrens?
• What economic role did these warrens play within their local communities, and what were the social impacts of the installation of rabbit warrens on manorial lands?
• What was the symbolic role that warrens played within the contemporary landscape?

Research Supervisory team:

Professor Oliver Creighton (Exeter University)

Dr. Stuart Prior (Bristol University)

Research Wider Research Interests:

• Landscape Archaeology
• Medieval England
• Cold War Archaeology
• The application of Geophysical surveys
• Early Dynastic Egypt
• Field Systems

Professional/research experience:

April 2013 September 2013

Cotswold Archaeology, Kemble

• Assistant Heritage Consultant - responsible for producing Desk Based Assessments, Settings Assessments and Written Schemes of Investigation.

March 2013

South Gloucestershire Council, Gaunt's Earthcott

• Resistivity survey of Gaunts Earthcott Medieval Manor, as part of project led by South Gloucestershire Council’s community archaeologist.

March 2013

South Gloucestershire Council, Winterbourne

• Total Station standing building survey of the medieval Winterbourne Barn, Winterbourne, as part of project led by South Gloucestershire Council’s community archaeologist.

March 2013

South Gloucestershire Council, Horton Camp

• Gradiometer and Total Station earthwork survey of Horton Camp Iron Age Hillfort, as part of project led by South Gloucestershire Council’s community archaeologist.

February 2013 March 2013

South Gloucestershire Council, Barrs Court

• Resistivity and gradiometer surveys of Barrs Court Medieval Manor House, Longwell Green, as part of project led by South Gloucestershire Council’s community archaeologist.

February 2013

South Gloucestershire Council, Thornbury

• Excavation and Total Station earthwork survey of a post-medieval fishpond at Thornbury House, Thornbury, as part of project led by South Gloucestershire Council’s community archaeologist.

October 2012 March 2013

Thornbury Museum, South Gloucestershire

• Landscape survey and documentary research of New Park, a medieval deer park in Thornbury on a voluntary basis for Thornbury Museum

October 2012 December 2012

Thornbury Museum Archaeology Group, South Gloucestershire

• Excavation of a possible medieval chapel at Lower Hazel, South Gloucestershire

July 2012

National Trust, Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucestershire

• Excavation of the West Range of the villa to uncover the range's mosaic.

May 2012

National Trust, Dunster Castle, Somerset

• Excavation of four evaluation trenches along a historic path to the Castle Tor.

April 2012

National Trust, Dyrham Park, South Gloucestershire

• Excavation in advance of proposed groundwater heating pump installation.

April 2012 July 2012

National Trust South West Regional Office, Warminster

• Work placement with Dr. Martin Papworth, National Trust’s Regional Archaeologist for the South West.
• Conducted archaeological and historical research of a Cold War weapons testing site in North Somerset, producing a report to guide future site management policies.
• Conducted archaeological and historical research of several National Trust-owned properties in the Quantocks.

October 2011 April 2012

University of Bristol

• Resistivity survey of an Iron Age field system on Middle Hope, North Somerset, in order to enhance the North Somerset Historic Environment Record.
• Desk Based Assessment of land around Southmead Round Barrow, Bristol.
• Conservation Management Plan of the Kings Head public house, Bristol
• Landscape survey of rabbit warrens at Little Sodbury, South Gloucestershire

August 1998

National Trust, Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucestershire

• Training excavation of the villa's north range.

Education:

January 2013 January 9999

University of Exeter

PhD Archaeology

Rabbit Warrens of South West England: landscape context, socio-economic significance and symbolism

January 2011 January 2012

University of Bristol

MA Landscape Archaeology (Distinction)

Uncovering a Secret Landscape – St Thomas’s Head and the Cold War

January 2000 January 2001

University of Liverpool

MA Egyptology (Pass) - funded by the AHRB.

A Study of the Relationship between the Different Dynastic Factions of the Early Dynastic Period and of the Evidence for Internal Political Disruptions.

January 1997 January 2000

University of Liverpool

BA Egyptology (2:1)

An Investigation of the Date of the Osireion.