Department life for PhD students

You will join a vibrant, supportive doctoral community within the Department of Archaeology, working alongside postdoctoral researchers and academic staff.

We are the only archaeology department in England to hold an Athena SWAN silver award, which recognises our focus on gender equality.

Athena SWAN promotes representation, progression and success for all. It focuses specifically on the advancement of women's careers across higher education in all academic fields. The charter also promotes and recognises work that supports trans staff and students.

Training is an intrinsic part of your development as a researcher. Throughout your PhD, you'll benefit from a programme of relevant postgraduate training and have access to specialist modules agreed between you and your supervisor/s, as well as a programme of transferable skills organised by the Doctoral and Researcher College.

"Doing my PhD at Reading has provided me with a wealth of opportunities outside my project to learn new skills and gain teaching experience in preparation for future roles."

Sara Wilson – PhD Researcher

Over the course of your PhD, you'll have plenty of opportunities to communicate your work and network with other researchers, including:

• presenting a seminar
• speaking at conferences and workshops
• visiting or hosting researchers from external organisations.

Our annual School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science PGR Conference, co-organised by archaeology postgraduate researchers, brings together researchers from a range of related disciplines. Here, you'll have the opportunity to present and discuss your research with your peers.

The Department of Archaeology holds a regular research seminar series attended by external speakers, and internal "work in progress" seminars. PhD students and staff also organise regular reading groups to discuss current papers.

There are also more informal opportunities to present your work, including our "Research Hour" – regular lunchtime seminars and workshops that bring our community together.

Our world-class research in archaeology is structured around three research clusters, providing an interdisciplinary environment for engagement within and across themes, projects and regional studies.

• Diet, Health and the Life Course
• Landscape, Climate and Lived Environment
• Objects, Materials and People.

These research clusters focus on advancing social and scientific approaches to past communities and environments, as well as issues of fundamental significance – climate and environmental change, health and diet, social diversity and inclusivity, and cultural heritage.

They also provide you with opportunities to interact with academics, research staff, and other postgraduate research students.

Read more about our research