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William Mitchell

Lecturer in Archaeology, Staffordshire University

I have over 15 years of experience in development led and research archaeological projects and for the past three years I have been teaching at Staffordshire University, supporting undergraduate and post-graduate modules across multiple schools. The projects I have been involved in include a multitude of sites from different historic periods, in different regions of the UK. My specialist subjects include urban, medieval and industrial archaeology, community based projects and forensic archaeology. In recent years this has extended to involve the archaeology of a particular individual (William Shakespeare) and sites of Genocide and the Holocaust across Europe. I am a qualified teacher and I regularly work with school groups at all levels and on community led projects.
My expertise includes urban, medieval and industrial archaeology, community based projects and forensic archaeology. I have worked on a large number of forensic research projects, including sites of the Holocaust in Germany, Ukraine and Poland. Using non-invasive geophysical techniques, I have developed my specialism in the search and recovery of buried remains on sites of the recent past.

Experience

  • 2020–present
    Lecturer in Archaeology, Staffordshire University
  • 2015–2020
    Project Archaeologist, Staffordshire University
  • 2013–2015
    Class Teacher , at Benson Community School, Hockley
  • 2011–2012
    Archaeologist and Heritage Project Officer, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
  • 2007–2011
    Senior Project Archaeologist, University of Birmingham
  • 2003–2007
    Archaeological Field Officer, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

Education

  • 2014 
    National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL), Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
  • 2013 
    University of Birmingham, PGDipEd (PGCE Advanced) in General Primary
  • 2002 
    University of Cardiff, Wales, Ancient History and Archaeology

Publications

  • 2019
    An evaluation of community led archaeology projects funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund: Two Case Studies, Journal of Community Archaeology and Heritage
  • 2019
    William Shakespeare’s New Place; investing in, or inheriting a legacy?, Post-Medieval Archaeology
  • 2016
    Finding Shakespeare’s New Place: An archaeological biography. , Manchester University Press
  • 2013
    The Homes of our Metal Manufactures. Messrs R.W.Winfield and Co’s Cambridge Street Works & Rolling Mills, Birmingham’ Archaeological Excavations at the Library of Birmingham, Cambridge Street, British Archaeological Reports
  • 2013
    A Cycle of Recession and Recovery AD 1200-1900: Archaeological Investigations at Much Park Street, Coventry, British Archaeological Reports
  • 2012
    ‘Derby: The Western Suburbs. The Archaeology of the Connecting Derby Inner Ring Road.’, British Archaeological Reports
  • 2010
    ‘Detritus or artefact? Examining archaeological approaches to the presentation of nineteenth and twentieth century industrial workshops.’ In Footprints of Industry. Papers for the 300th anniversary conference at Coalbrookdale, 3-7 June 2009, British Archaeological Reports