We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Sara Perry as our new Director of Research and Engagement. Previously, Sara was Senior Lecturer in Cultural Heritage Management at the University of York and, during her eight-year career in the Department of Archaeology she held multiple roles, including Director of Studies of Digital Heritage and Archaeological Information Systems, and Director of Taught Postgraduate Studies.

Sara’s research centres upon the development, circulation and evaluation of media for archaeology and heritage sites and audiences. She has directed interpretation and training programmes around the world, including at Çatalhöyük in Turkey, Memphis, the capital of Ancient Egypt, and Kilwa and Pangani in Tanzania. Most recently she led the user-centred design and development team on the EU-funded EMOTIVE Project  which crafts emotional experiences for visitors to cultural sites.

Sara studied a BA and MA in Anthropology at the University of Victoria (Canada), specialising in prehistoric archaeology and visual anthropology.  Following this, she moved to the UK to pursue a PhD in Archaeology, graduating from the University of Southampton in 2011. As an educator, Sara has been awarded a range of significant teaching honours including as a runner up for the Times Higher Education Award for Most Innovative Teacher of the Year, recipient of the University of York’s Vice Chancellor’s Teaching Award, and first place for the YUSU (University of York Student Union) Excellence in Teaching and Supervision Award for Innovative Use of Technology. She has also been named one of JISC’s 50 Most Influential Higher Education Professionals Using Social Media.

Janet Miller, our Chief Executive Officer, said:

“I’m thrilled to welcome Sara to MOLA as she brings with her a depth and breadth of experience to support the development and implementation of our many ambitious research and engagement projects and programmes. This includes helping to ensure that developers and our other clients get the best value from their archaeological expenditure and can engage with audiences in an accessible way that enhances knowledge and stimulates interest in Britain’s rich cultural heritage, contributing to a sense of place, community and identity. Sara’s extensive academic background will also help us to strengthen our educational links and impact, and I have no doubt she will be an excellent addition to the team from the very start.”

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Sara Perry said:

“I am very excited to take up this role within an organisation which is completely committed to creating and sharing knowledge for the benefit of people and society; coupled with its highly respected specialist expertise and hands-on practice, it means that MOLA continues to be in a position to make a real difference across the archaeological sector and beyond. I am looking forward to meeting my new colleagues and our volunteers, and to starting work on some pioneering new research and engagement initiatives.”

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