What you'll learn
What is ethical professionalism?
Learn about key concepts in ethics and ethical behaviour, and how they apply in professional settings. Understand the role of ethical professionalism in archaeology, and the role of professional institutes.
Why will ethics help me?
Eight modules laced with pragmatic, real-world examples and discussion around ethical issues which apply to virtually every archaeological situation - research, fieldwork, post-fieldwork and public archaeology.
How can I develop ethical behaviours?
Practical frameworks for managing ethical questions at every stage of the archaeological process. Help to identify ethical approaches for a wide range of circumstances, anywhere in the world.
About the course
Every archaeologist meets ethical questions at work — over the treatment of human remains, the pressures of commercial deadlines, the demands of clients and regulators, or competing claims on the past. These are rarely abstract. They arrive mid-project, often without warning, and they demand a defensible answer. This course gives you the means to recognise, reason through and resolve them with confidence. Across eight modules, we move from the foundations of ethical thinking to the specific challenges of fieldwork, human remains, heritage management, commercial practice and archaeology's place in a changing world. The approach is practical and grounded in real situations, drawn from decades of UK and international experience and the 2025 Routledge book on which the course is built. You will come away better equipped to make sound judgements, justify them to colleagues and clients, and log CPD that strengthens your professional standing.
Learn at your own pace
8 modules, 43 lessons.
Structure and presentation
The course is divided into 8 modules, each comprising 5-6 lessons and 2-3 assessment exercises. Each lesson contains a short (3-9 minute) video and accompanying text; some also have downloadable material. The assessment exercises are a mixture of multiple choice questions and short reflective assessment essays (around 300-400 words). Progress through the course is sequential. The course is delivered by Dr Paul Belford and Dr Gerry Wait, and is based largely on their co-authored book 'Ethics in Archaeological Practice ' (Routledge 2025).
Dr Paul Belford
Dr Paul Belford FSA MCIfA is an archaeologist and heritage consultant with over 30 years’ experience across all sectors of the historic environment profession in the UK, Europe and the Americas. Paul has worked in the private, public and charity sectors at all levels, and has particular expertise in historical archaeology, industrial sites and landscapes, urban archaeology and heritage-led regeneration in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. He also has extensive experience of museums, and of community engagement with diverse groups. Paul is the founder and CEO of Heritage Innovation, an international cultural heritage consultancy based in the UK.
Dr Gerry Wait
Dr Gerry Wait FSA MCIfA RPA has over 40 years of experience as an archaeologist, anthropologist and heritage consultant. Gerry has worked for a range of public- and private-sector organisations in the UK and elsewhere. He has undertaken heritage assessments for Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and Conservation Management Plans in over 35 countries around the world. A former Chair of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), Gerry authored the first CIfA Ethics Guide and developed several ethics CPD courses for CIfA conferences and other CPD events.
Learn from leading experts
8 modules, 43 lessons.
Course outline
Module 1 — What Is Professional Ethics? - Session 1.1 — Ethics, Law and Moral Philosophy - Session 1.2 — Ethical Frameworks - Session 1.3 — The RIGHT Mnemonic in Practice - Session 1.4 — Professional Institutes, Codes and Trust Module 2 — Archaeology, the Public and 'Doing Good' - Session 2.1 — Public Benefit: Who Pays, Who Benefits? - Session 2.2 — Objectivity, Transparency and Honesty - Session 2.3 — Community Engagement Ethics Module 3 — The Archaeological Biosphere - Session 3.1 — What Is the 'Biosphere'? - Session 3.2 — Variations on the Valletta Theme - Session 3.3 — Case Study: Development-led Archaeology in Practice Module 4 — Ethics in Acquiring Archaeological Data - Session 4.1 — Appraisals, Briefs and Desk-Based Assessments - Session 4.2 — Non-Intrusive Investigation - Session 4.3 — Intrusive Investigation and Excavation - Session 4.4 — Communities, Stakeholders and Intra-Professional Ethics Module 5 — Managing Archaeological Information - Session 5.1 — Archives: What They Are and Why They Matter - Session 5.2 — Access, Sensitivity and Intellectual Property - Session 5.3 — Human Remains: Ethical Challenges - Session 5.4 — FAIR Data and Specialist Ethics Module 6 — Creating Meaningful Outputs - Session 6.1 — For Whom Do We Create Outputs? - Session 6.2 — Publication Ethics - Session 6.3 — Communicating Across Audiences Module 7 — Archaeology and Public Discourse - Session 7.1 — Archaeologists as Public Philosophers - Session 7.2 — Roles in Professional Associations - Session 7.3 — Case Study: Heritage Research Ethics in Practice Module 8 — Archaeological Ethics for the Future - Session 8.1 — Information Revolutions and AI - Session 8.2 — Professional Models Under Pressure - Session 8.3 — Synthesis: Ethics for the Future
What people are saying
Some of the positive comments we have received from colleagues
This is much needed and very welcome.
Swansea University, UK
This course looks great!
Black Mountains Archaeology, UK
Definitely a course to consider adding to your CPD portfolios - especially if you’re looking at upgrading your CIfA membership or joining for the first time.
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, UK
I have witnessed that professional failings have been attributed to political pressure. It is precisely in these situations that a clear ethical compass and a firm stance are essential ... Even decisions taken under pressure must stand up to ethical principles.
Archaeokontor GmbH, Switzerland
This is much needed and very welcome.
Swansea University, UK
Definitely a course to consider adding to your CPD portfolios - especially if you’re looking at upgrading your CIfA membership or joining for the first time.
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, UK
This course looks great!
Black Mountains Archaeology, UK
I have witnessed that professional failings have been attributed to political pressure. It is precisely in these situations that a clear ethical compass and a firm stance are essential ... Even decisions taken under pressure must stand up to ethical principles.
Archaeokontor GmbH, Switzerland
The only comprehensive online course in archaeological ethics
8 modules, 43 lessons