Director’s Report 2014–2015

Abstract

As incoming Director I would like to begin by thanking Professor Stephen Shennan for his immense contribution to, and leadership of the Institute as Director for the past nine years. During his service Stephen not only kept us on a steady keel, but importantly maintained Institute staff numbers and our breadth of global coverage in World Archaeology, Archaeological Science, and Heritage and Museum Studies. In particular during this period the Institute attracted a large number of post doctoral researchers, and generated the impressive research environment that has been confirmed by our recent success in the evaluation of research in the national Research Excellence Framework (REF) (see below). Before reviewing the 2014/15 year, I would like to record with sadness the death of Sheppard Frere CBE, FBA, who died in February 2015 at the age of 98. Considered a giant of Roman Archaeology, he taught the subject at the Institute from 1955–1967, first as Lecturer and subsequently as Professor of the Archaeology of the Roman Provinces. Those connected with the Institute in the 1950s and ‘60s will remember him well. A detailed obituary is available at http://www. theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/mar/10/ sheppard-frere. In reviewing this past year it is a pleasure to record the senior promotions effective