IFR Field School Directors Honored for Excellence in Preservation Education
The Institute for Field Research is proud to celebrate Dr. Michelle Rathgaber and Sarah Shepard of the Arkansas Archeological Survey (ARAS) for receiving Honorable Mention for Outstanding Achievement in Preservation Education at the Preserve Arkansas Awards. This recognition highlights their leadership in the Fayetteville Curation Literacy field school, an IFR-supported program dedicated to training students in best practices for archaeological curation and collections management held during the 2024 field season. Recognizing Excellence in Archaeological Preservation Each year, Preserve Arkansas—a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and promoting the state’s historic resources—honors projects and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to heritage preservation, education, and advocacy. The Outstanding Achievement in Preservation Education Award spotlights initiatives that advance knowledge and training [...]
Top Tips for a Successful Field School Application
Field schools are a chance to roll up your sleeves and dive into the world of hands-on research. Whether you’re digging into Bronze Age ruins in Turkey or studying environmental science in the Mediterranean, applying to a field school is the first step toward building your career in the field sciences (and beyond). Field schools can be competitive, and a well-crafted application is your ticket in. Here are three essential tips to help your application stand out and get you one step closer to the field. Show us you've done your research Field schools are about making meaningful contributions to real research projects in some of the most incredible sites across the globe. Your application is the [...]
All I want for Christmas is… an IFR field school!
With the holiday season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to start preparing for your summer archaeology adventures. Whether you’re gearing up for your first field school or returning as a seasoned excavator, the costs of these experiences can add up. The good news? The holidays offer a fantastic opportunity to ask for gifts that support your archaeological dreams. From essential field tools to gear that makes long days in the field more comfortable, consider putting these items on your wish list—or share this guide with friends and family looking for thoughtful ways to support your journey. Curated by our Director of Programs, Kate- a seasoned archaeologist who knows exactly what’s needed to succeed in your first field school- [...]
Welcoming Kate Rose: A Q&A with IFR’s Director of Programs
Meet Kate Rose IFR Director of Programs We are excited to welcome Kate Rose as the new Director of Programs at the Institute for Field Research! A dedicated anthropological archaeologist, Kate specializes in landscape studies and ancient urbanism in the Near East and North Africa. With 15 years of field experience, she is passionate about the intersection of fieldwork and pedagogy, having served in various leadership roles on projects in Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, and Spain. Kate joins IFR from her previous role as a postdoctoral researcher with the ERC DiverseNile Project at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, where she employed innovative digital methods to enhance our understanding of Bronze Age Nubia. As a first-generation college [...]
Faces of IFR: Career Inspiration from Julie Stein’s SAA Feature
As our 2024 field season begins to comes to a close, many of our students are reflecting on their experiences and looking ahead to the next steps in their academic and professional journeys. To inspire and guide this transition, we're revisiting the insightful "Archiving the Archaeologists" feature on Julie Stein, a distinguished member of our board, published by the Society for American Archaeology (SAA). Julie Stein’s feature was among the first in the SAA series, yet her journey and reflections remain incredibly relevant, especially for those just beginning to chart their own paths in the world of field research. The "Archiving the Archaeologists" series is dedicated to capturing the personal insights and reflections of archaeologists who have made significant [...]
Saying Goodbye to Xi’an
This summer, students from around the world embarked on an extraordinary journey through time and place with IFR’s China: Yangguanzhai Excavation Field School. As we close out a successful field season excavating at Yangguanzhai, we are taking a look back at what has made this program so impactful and memorable through the eyes of the IFR’s 2024 student cohort. Their reflections provide a vivid account of discovery, learning, and cultural immersion, painting a picture of a transformative experience that blends rigorous hands-on learning with rich personal exploration. We can’t forget a fair amount of fun as well! Settling In The Yangguanzhai field school is broken down into two parts, with an initial week of lectures [...]
IFR Student Photo & Video Contest
Do you have a camera roll full of memories from your IFR field school adventures? Whether you've unearthed ancient artifacts, forged unforgettable friendships, or explored breathtaking landscapes (and hopefully all of the above), this is your chance to share those memorable moments with the IFR community, and win some great cash prizes in the process. Here are the details for our summer 2024 contest. PRIZES One winner in each photo category will receive a $150 Visa gift card. The winner of the short video category will receive a $300 Visa gift card. CATEGORIES Cultural Landscapes [photo] Highlight the unique cultural and natural landscapes that shaped your field school experience. Ancient ruins, awe-inspiring landmarks, the [...]
Celebrating Juneteenth through Archaeology & Cultural Heritage
June 19th commemorates the day when 250,000 enslaved people in Texas, the last bastion of slavery during the final days of the Civil War, were declared free. While we honor this significant milestone, we also acknowledge the ongoing journey toward equality and justice within the United States and within the field of archaeology. In the spirit of Juneteenth, we celebrate African American resilience, contributions, and culture through the lens of archaeology and cultural heritage. Here are a selection of resources and ideas to celebrate Juneteenth through this lens as well: Visit an African American Heritage Park From the initial landing of enslaved Africans to sites of civil rights milestones, national parks offer a way to engage with and honor the [...]
Caribbean Field Notes: Summer 2024 Through Student Lenses
This summer, our Western Caribbean field school students embarked on an unforgettable journey to the islands of Providence and Santa Catalina. Through hands-on ethnographic research and community archaeology, they gained invaluable insights into the rich cultural heritage and complex history of the Native Raizal people. The students’ work focused on understanding the islands' historical timeline and documenting the stories, language, and culture of the Raizal community. In their free time they have traveled the length of the island, made deep connections with their local collaborators, and some even decided to get their scuba certifications! As their field school draws to a close, we invite you to look back on the wealth of experiences and memories they have gained this season. [...]
Jay’s spirit lives on through two IFR students
When Jay Garcia passed away in April 2021, his sister Sarah Sanchez decided to channel her grief into something positive. "Instead of withering away and crawling into a dark hole, I decided to take a positive spin on his life and live for him," she shares. Thus began the Live Like JayG3 Scholarship program, a nonprofit organization Sanchez founded in his memory. Inspired by Jay’s spirit of adventure and thirst for continuous learning, this nonprofit seeks to keep his legacy alive by providing scholarships for immersive travel programs, like those offered by the Institute for Field Research. Reflecting on his life, Sanchez describes Jay as "a force of nature," adding, "Jay’s passions were traveling and to never stop learning [...]