What our students say
''For me choosing to come from Cyprus to Belfast, with its warm and friendly environment, was my best route for continuing research. I came to do a PhD at Queen’s because it is the only department in UK that combines Archaeology with Palaeoecology and I saw it as a great opportunity to work with a wide spectrum of professionals and explore high quality research techniques. I am gaining a variety of individual skills to support my future career.”
Annita (Cyprus) researching early human occupation in North Africa “I have really enjoyed the MSc in Dating and Chronology at Queen’s. It has enabled me to pursue research across the southern Mediterranean and Libya, working alongside researchers from other universities. My research has really benefitted from the ready access Queen’s provides to the Radiocarbon facilities and expertise available within the department.”
Evan (NI) researching mollusc dating in North Africa and the Mediterranean."The research environment of the department has supported my development as an independent researcher scientifically and personally, and people in the labs are most enthusiastic and warm, and I feel a member of the “family”.”
Svetlana (Russia) researching Palaeodiet in late prehistoric Russia-Siberia.“I am a non-traditional student (in my 50's), and the “Arcpal” programme at Queen's has been a very good experience for me. After completing my MSc in Palaeoecology here in 2006, it wasn't hard to decide where to do my PhD work. Where else can you walk down the hall and have people whose journal articles and books you have been reading for a decade call you by name? It is a lovely place to be.”
Lisa researching the location of Irish Castles through GIS applications.“My Masters research at Cardiff University on landscapes and settlements prepared me for my current research on the gentry buildings of medieval England. The reason I chose to pursue my PhD at the School of GAP, was because of the excellent reputation of both the staff and department, but also for the quality of the work and research that is produced. The support and encouragement from the academic staff and friends I have made here, has really allowed me to thrive, both personally and academically. The personal development and training opportunities provided both by the department, and the postgraduate office, has meant that I have been able to widen my skills portfolio. These are both research-focused, such as the opportunity to take part in fieldwork and surveying, to more generic computer-based skills. This will greatly improve my chances of gaining employment quickly once I complete my studies.”
Jill researching Medieval houses and their layout. “The School of GAP is a stimulating environment to study as a post-graduate student; supervision and advice is readily available from a wealth of leading authorities working in a range of disciplines from environment and chronology to archaeological fieldwork. Regular events, departmental talks and seminars from both staff and research students from Queen's and further afield exposes students to cutting edge research and key debates from a range of subjects and periods, and the quality of research projects being carried out within the School of GAP acts as testament to the calibre of the department.”
Rebecca studying Rock art, rocks and landscapes in Ireland and beyond. “In 2005 I enrolled as a mature student to complete a BA in Archaeology and Palaeoecology at the School of GAP. I graduated in Summer 2008 with a first class honours degree. It was a natural progression for me to go on and complete the MSc in Dating and Chronology building which began in 2008. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and last year began a PhD in the department which I have found to be both challenging and exciting! The MSc provided a great foundation for my PhD studies because of the range of various techniques explored and the ‘hands-on’ practical aspects of the course. I have chosen to stay at the department to complete my studies for lots of reasons but mainly because of the strong support system for students, the world-class quality of our teaching staff and the open and friendly atmosphere”.
Ciara – studying prehistory.
Annita (Cyprus) researching early human occupation in North Africa “I have really enjoyed the MSc in Dating and Chronology at Queen’s. It has enabled me to pursue research across the southern Mediterranean and Libya, working alongside researchers from other universities. My research has really benefitted from the ready access Queen’s provides to the Radiocarbon facilities and expertise available within the department.”
Evan (NI) researching mollusc dating in North Africa and the Mediterranean."The research environment of the department has supported my development as an independent researcher scientifically and personally, and people in the labs are most enthusiastic and warm, and I feel a member of the “family”.”
Svetlana (Russia) researching Palaeodiet in late prehistoric Russia-Siberia.“I am a non-traditional student (in my 50's), and the “Arcpal” programme at Queen's has been a very good experience for me. After completing my MSc in Palaeoecology here in 2006, it wasn't hard to decide where to do my PhD work. Where else can you walk down the hall and have people whose journal articles and books you have been reading for a decade call you by name? It is a lovely place to be.”
Lisa researching the location of Irish Castles through GIS applications.“My Masters research at Cardiff University on landscapes and settlements prepared me for my current research on the gentry buildings of medieval England. The reason I chose to pursue my PhD at the School of GAP, was because of the excellent reputation of both the staff and department, but also for the quality of the work and research that is produced. The support and encouragement from the academic staff and friends I have made here, has really allowed me to thrive, both personally and academically. The personal development and training opportunities provided both by the department, and the postgraduate office, has meant that I have been able to widen my skills portfolio. These are both research-focused, such as the opportunity to take part in fieldwork and surveying, to more generic computer-based skills. This will greatly improve my chances of gaining employment quickly once I complete my studies.”
Jill researching Medieval houses and their layout. “The School of GAP is a stimulating environment to study as a post-graduate student; supervision and advice is readily available from a wealth of leading authorities working in a range of disciplines from environment and chronology to archaeological fieldwork. Regular events, departmental talks and seminars from both staff and research students from Queen's and further afield exposes students to cutting edge research and key debates from a range of subjects and periods, and the quality of research projects being carried out within the School of GAP acts as testament to the calibre of the department.”
Rebecca studying Rock art, rocks and landscapes in Ireland and beyond. “In 2005 I enrolled as a mature student to complete a BA in Archaeology and Palaeoecology at the School of GAP. I graduated in Summer 2008 with a first class honours degree. It was a natural progression for me to go on and complete the MSc in Dating and Chronology building which began in 2008. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and last year began a PhD in the department which I have found to be both challenging and exciting! The MSc provided a great foundation for my PhD studies because of the range of various techniques explored and the ‘hands-on’ practical aspects of the course. I have chosen to stay at the department to complete my studies for lots of reasons but mainly because of the strong support system for students, the world-class quality of our teaching staff and the open and friendly atmosphere”.
Ciara – studying prehistory.
