In this special episode, we bring you exclusive coverage from the launch event of the Festival of Archaeology, hosted at the scenic Scottish Crannog Centre on the banks of Loch Tay. Join us as we dive into engaging conversations with event organizers from the Council for British Archaeology, explore the vibrant stalls, and interact with the passion…

Our first episode of 2024 is a fascinating chat with Karen Kirk. Karen has had a brilliant career which has spanned commercial archaeology, BBC drama productions and more recently, the production of archaeological TV programs. With shows and documentaries ranging from Digging for Britain, Time Team, Secrets of Stonehenge and Titanic’s Final Mystery…

The episode of Career Ruins features a conversation with Colm Donnelly, a Senior Research Fellow at Queen's University in Belfast. Derek and Lawrence reflect on the highlights of the year and discuss Colm's career journey in historical archaeology and community archaeology. Colm shares insights into his notable projects, including excavating mediev…

The podcast features an interview with Dr. Jim Leary, an archaeologist and author at the University of York. The trio discuss Jim's new book 'Footmarks' and, his experiences in commercial and curatorial archaeology, and his recent career move to part-time teaching. He also shares insights into his significant projects, including leading the excavat…

In this episode Derek and Lawrence chat to Helen Geake, an archaeologist and member of the television show Time Team. She discusses her career in archaeology, starting from when she was unsure about what she wanted to do and eventually discovering her passion for the subject. She talks about her academic journey, including her research on Anglo-Sax…

Career in ruins are back in the saddle with their traditional interview format at the start of a very exciting new season. To kick us off we chat to the inspirational Gus Casely-Hayford, Director of the V&A East, and all round incredible person. We gain an insight into the motivation and application that has lead him to have such an incredible care…

To kick off the start of our new season we are sharing a special podcast about OUR careers in ruins. This first episode is a recording from a lecture we were asked to give to the Anthropology Society at Stony Brook University, New York, about science communication. We hope you enjoy it and a huge thank you to all the committee and members of the so…

In this first episode of the long awaited season 6 of Career in Ruins Lawrence and Derek join in with the CBA's Festival of Archaeology by celebrating "20 years" (ish) of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS). Archaeology's Ant and Dec of the south coast are joined by three incredible guests; Michael Lewis, Head of the PAS at the British Museum, Em…

In this special episode, reporting from Niue in the South Pacific, Lawrence meets Moira Enetama who is the director of the Tāoga Niue (museum). The duo discuss the impact of the Cyclone Heta in 2004 and Moira’s role in promoting and protecting the cultural heritage of Niue.By careerinruins

This week we take a moment to pause and reflect on some of the problems facing members of our community. We are joined by Kate Geary (CiFA), Lu Stanton-Greenwood (StepChange/ BAJR) and David Connolly (BAJR) and discussions are centred on the recently released ‘Poverty Impact Report’. Some useful links below: For help and advice with debt, cost of l…

A short message from Derek and Lawrence thanking you for listeningBy careerinruins

Join Lawrence and Derek for an additional podcast as they go for a ramble chat with attendees of the Festival of Archaeology event in Corfe Castle, hosted by the National Trust. This “explosive” conversation covers ancient technology, forestry, maritime archaeology, computer games and much more.By careerinruins

Welcome to this special episode which is brought to you by the Council for British Archaeology. This episode was recorded live at the Festival of Archaeology closing event at Corfe Castle, as hosted by the National Trust on 31st of July 2022. Derek and Lawrence are joined by a brilliant panel of archaeologists as they share their journey in archaeo…

In this special episode, join Lawrence as he attends a Festival of Archaeology event being delivered by Forestry England at Sherwood Pines. Learn a bit about what Forestry England do, how they manage their historic environment and what they have been doing to promote it during the festival. Lawrence catches up with colleagues and living historians …

We are back! And what better way to come back then to take a day out to visit the Durotriges Big Dig. Ran over 9 seasons, this research project focuses on Iron Age Dorset, examining the transition between the Iron Age and Roman Britain, and how this is represented in the archaeological record. Not only does the project offer up lots of interesting …

In this bonus episode Derek and Lawrence talk all things New Zealand archaeology. The duo are joined by New Zealand archaeologists Josie Hagan and Dr Andy Brown. The episode features a triumphant return of Monutrumps as well as a discussion of the range of sites in New Zealand and what you can expect during New Zealand archaeology week. New Zealand…

In this, the season 4 finale, Derek and Lawrence chat about sculptures in the Forest of Dean and the discovery of Shackleton’s ship. The final guest of the season is the incredible Dr Arwa Kharobi, a bioanthropologist who talks through her diverse and fascinating career in ruins and “tells” us about some of the sites she’s worked on.…

In this week’s episode Derek and Lawrence talk to………. each other. The duo discuss orienteering, the human history of the landscape, and Time Team. They also talk about some of the results from their YouTube mini-series ‘Career in Ruins: In the field’.By careerinruins

This week we catch up with floatation queen and environmental archaeology professional Naomi Sewpaul. Naomie talks us through her career in ruins to date that has led to her into becoming a leading expert across the archaeological disciplines of academia, research and commercial investigations. Naomi helps us to understand how we can excavate with …

This week Lawrence and Derek talk about their adventures in the countryside and Lawrence’s long history of heritage crime. Their guest this week is curatorial legend and Twitter master Rob Symmons. Rob is the curator of Fishbourne Roman palace: the largest Roman building north of the alps! The trio discuss Rob’s career in ruins, from the early seed…

In this week’s episode Lawrence and Derek discuss the value of mentorship as well as the archaeological potential of shooting forests with drone-based lasers. Their guest this week is Time Team landscape superstar Professor Stewart Ainsworth. Stewart shares stories from his amazing and diverse career, from his work with the Ordnance Survey to his 2…

In this week’s episode Lawrence and Derek get a graphic insight into an often overlooked aspect of heritage communication. The duo are joined by Neil Max Emmanuel, a Creative Motion Graphic Designer, Animator, Editor, Storyboard Artist, Cartoonist/Comic Artist, Children's Book Illustrator, and all round amazing guy. I’m archaeology Neil is best kno…

In this episode Derek and Lawrence chat to John Gater. John is an geophysicist who's had a long pioneering career in archaeology. He is best known says work on Time Team but was instrumental in the early commercial adoption of geophysics in archaeology having worked for companies such as British Gas and the English Heritage Ancient Monuments Labora…

This week we catch up with brilliant Natalie Haynes. We find out how comedy has shaped her career in classics and how the classics have shaped her career in comedy. Full of laughs and insight, we learn what it takes to a have a successful Radio 4 comedy series, write columns in leading papers and have your novel short listed for the Women's Prize f…

After popular demand we have added out new theme tune to our library as a surprise special gift for Spotify users. Add to your favorite playlist and listen whenever you like! Theme tune by Charles Harrison based on the tune created by Guy Dowsett.By careerinruins

Welcome back to the first episode of this new season of Career in Ruins. It’s been six months since we last did a pod and my word have we been busy. This week our hosts, Derek and Lawrence, catch up on what they have been up to, address some of the amazing archaeology that has been on the telly box of late and interview the fantastic Dr Cat Jarman.…

In this Festival of British Archaeology special Career in Ruins gets a significant upgrade as Lawrence is joined by Neil Redfern (CEO, Council for British Archaeology) with a special guest appearance by Matt Williams (Time Team legend and RSPB reserves archaeologist) in Derek’s absence. The podcast was recorded on-location at RSPB Arne where the te…

In this Dig4arch special Derek and Lawrence talk to people behind the new campaign that aims to send a clear message that archaeology matters, Dr Chloë Duckworth (Newcastle University) and David Connolly (BAJR). They discuss the current risks to archaeology and explore some of the ways to overcome them the panel are joined by representatives from k…

This episode we are joined by Dr Toby Driver, Senior Investigator (Aerial Survey) at the Royal Commission Wales. Toby discusses his career in archaeology, how he got into aerial research and how the process works. We also discuss a number of things that have caught our attention, including the passing of Victor Ambrus (Time Team), the lost stone ci…

This episode we are joined by Gareth Chaffey, Senior Project Manager at Wessex Archaeology. Gareth discusses his career in archaeology, his experimental partnership with Butser Ancient Farm and how he taught Derek everything he knows. Derek, Lawrence and Gareth also discuss new jobs, commercial archaeology and share some secrets about he CiR twitte…

This week we are joined by Dr Sadie Watson, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at MOLA. Sadie discusses her archaeolgoical background, her fellowship in ‘Measuring, maximising and transforming public benefit from UK Government infrastructure investment in archaeology' and her work on the amazing Bloomberg excavation . Derek, Lawrence and Sadie also discuss…

This week we are joined by Matt Ritchie, Archaeologist for Forestry and Land Scotland. Matt discusses his diverse career, love of innovative outreach and his particular passion for Ferries. Derek, Lawrence and Matt also discuss the value of local heritage and how its managed as well as delving into the contentious issue of the Stonehenge tunnel pro…

This week we are joined by Kristina Douglass, Joyce and Doug Sherwin Early Career Processor in the Rock Ethics Institute and Assistant Professor of Anthropology and African Studies, Penn State Collage. Kristina brings her fascinating prospective to how she became the leading professional that she is today, as well as discussion around the positive …

In this extended special, Career In Ruins forms an alliance with ArchaeoDuck to delve into the use of archaeology and anthropology in the Star Trek franchise. The podcast is an extended version of “Star Trek Archaeology, which can be found at the link below. Who are the best and worst archaeologists in the various series? What do Star Trek and arch…

This week the team are joined by a fantastic panel to discuss climate change and the historic environment. This special episode, produced on behalf of CITiZAN (Coastal Intertidal Zone Archaeological Network), has been made specifically for the Council for British Archaeology’s, Festival of Archaeology Digital Week. Derek and Lawrence are joined by …

This week’s pod sees a three-way conversation between presenters Derek Pitman, Lawrence Shaw and their guest Stu Eve. The three of them reflect on aspects of the news that week, space travel and archaeology and have a game of DomuTrumps (not a typo). We also get great insight into Stu’s career which ranges from setting up a commercial archaeology c…

This week’s pod sees us returning to our traditional format. We have our first lockdown interview with Caroline Barrie-Smith, Project Manager of the brilliant CITiZAN project. We gain insight into her different career trajectory and reflect on the role distance learning can play in a career change and helping people to land fantastic jobs in the fu…

It’s the big Career in Ruins birthday bonanza! Continuing in lock-down, this week’s episode features a host of special guests including sometimes co-host Harry Manley, star of Channel 4’s Great British Dig and ArchaeoDuck, Dr Chloë Duckworth, Chris Jones, Historic Environment Officer for Northumberland National Park, Time Team’s Professor Carenza L…

In this weeks episode Lawrence and Derek are joined in virtual space by Dr Anna Rohnbogner​. The team discuss their careers under lock-down, pandemics and celebrity chefs. The episode also features a disease themed Monutrumps and some recommendations for heritage themed virtual resources.By careerinruins

This week’s episode is a throwback to when Derek and Lawrence were invited to attend the Short Sounds Film Festival. The trip puts them in a reflective mood as to the role of sound in Archaeology, perhaps an overlooked sense in what is very much a vision led profession. We hope you enjoy this short episode and spoiler alert, we have another new gam…

By careerinruins

By careerinruins

This week’s episode sees us catching up with Dr Sara Perry, Director of Research and Engagement at Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA). In a three-way discussion we find out how Sara got into her career in ruins and why she is so interested in how we share, interpret and connect with cultural heritage. We also dare to boldly go where no podcasters …

This week’s episode was made in conjunction with the Council for British Archaeology. We go on an adventure to their annual Archaeology Day in London and speak to some brilliant people, from the mastermind behind the Mithraeum, Sophie Jackson, the Director of the CBA, Mike Heyworth, and the winners of the Marsh Archaeology Awards. You will get some…

Welcome back to season 2 of Career in Ruins. This week we interview Richard Osgood, Senior Archaeologist at UK Ministry of Defence. He shares all his experiences from the different ways that he got into the subject including work on Operation Nightingale and the benefits of "fun runs". This episode is brought to you by the Council for British Archa…

This week we interview Professor Jane Downes, Director of the UHI Archaeology Institute. She shares all her experiences from the different ways that she got into the subject including work on cremations and barrows to her work on Easter Island and the Cook Islands. We also discuss tree diseases, bubbles and outreach. Hosted by Lawrence Shaw and Der…

This week we are joined by Dr Andrew Brown. He shares all his experiences from the different ways that he got into the subject, to working in New Zealand, Wales and Australia. We also have a game of monument Top Trumps and discuss archaeo-fashion and Stonehenge. Hosted by Lawrence Shaw and Derek Pitman Artwork by Ed Hudspeth Sound production and th…

This week we interview Professor Colin Richard. He shares all his experiences from the different ways that he got into the subject, to working on Orkney, Durrington Walls, Easter Island and the Cook Islands. We also have a game of monument Top Trumps and discuss carbon dating and throw away archaeology. Hosted by Lawrence Shaw and Derek Pitman Artw…

This week we interviews Dr Chris Stantis. She shares all her experiences from studying across three different countries to her more recent research in Egypt. We also chat media, Houses of Parliament and #AskAnArchaeologist. Hosted by Lawrence Shaw and Derek Pitman Artwork by Ed Hudspeth Sound production and theme tune by Guy Dowsett (Bucketofsound.…

This week we catch up on all that we have been up to during our short break away. We talk about our work in Greece and the Cook Islands as well as play the sound game. We then to a quick introduction for the following episode about Museums and Easter Island. Hosted by Lawrence Shaw and Derek Pitman Artwork by Ed Hudspeth Sound production and theme …