Dr James Bonsall Miai Email & Phone Number

Ireland

County Sligo, Ireland

Sligo

University Of Bradford, Uk

I carried out academic research leading to a PhD funded by the Irish National Roads Authority Fellowship Programme, at the University of Bradford (2010-2014). The PhD was titled "A reappraisal of archaeological geophysical surveys on Irish road corridors 2001-2010".The aim of this project was to critically review the demonstrable outputs from 10 years of “linear” survey undertaken using geophysical methods for national road projects and to enhance the effectiveness of geophysical methods in future NRA schemes. The NRA funded a large number of extensive geophysical surveys across Ireland. There was, however, a need to reconsider the balance between initial impact and long term success of geophysical work within NRA schemes. The nature of geophysical investigation is that it is done at the start of a project and practitioners often complain that its importance in driving succeeding work is rarely acknowledged. Conversely, those excavating previously surveyed sites often only give feedback when features have been “missed” by the geophysicist. There was considerable international interest in validating the outcomes of ground based remote sensing and the reappraisal of NRA schemes has played a major part via this research.The project delivered a critical and appropriate review of NRA schemes that involved prospecting using geophysical devices. Using this analysis the research addressed those practical areas of concern for archaeologists in Ireland, as well as other international stakeholders, and delivered pragmatic and valid conclusions on the following:*The appropriateness of the specifications used*The technical success or otherwise of the methodologies used*The variation in success between monument types, landscape settings and geology*How to extract greater archaeological value from geophysical data*Novel approaches that are currently not used on NRA schemes and their cost effectiveness

I was responsbile for co-ordinating, executing monitoring and supervising archaeological geophysical surveys throughout the UK, consolidate site archives and data processing, assist in the creation of research archives and the production of client reports and to liase with clients’ representatives on site. I routinely applied technical expertise within the framework of standard procedures and made decisions on behalf of superiors and on the work programmes allotted to assistants. I co-ordinated several projects simultaneously and carried out non-routine work. Responsible for site records and data, proper adherence to workplace procedures and Health and Safety legislation; security of site, unit and hire equipment, driving as required.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Archaeological Prospection

My Ph.D thesis "A reappraisal of archaeological geophysical surveys on Irish road corridors 2001-2010", was funded by the Irish National.

Msc (Distinction), Archaeological Prospection

Ba (Hons), Archaeology