Conference organizers

Pieterjan Deckers is assistant professor of Historical Archaeology of NW Europe at KU Leuven. Connected to his research on medieval material culture, he has a developed a keen interest in the opportunities and challenges relating to the metal detecting hobby in Flanders and Europe.

Suzie Thomas is a professor of Heritage Studies at the University of Antwerp. She did her PhD on the relationships between archaeologists and metal-detectorists in England and Wales, and currently is project lead for a Scientific Research Network (funded by the FWO and Global Wales) for understanding Heritage Practice Communities and how they make use of digital approaches.  

Anna Wessman is Professor in Iron Age Archaeology at the University of Bergen, Norway. She is an expert in the relationships between archaeologists and avocational metal-detectorists and has done extensive ethnographic research on metal-detecting and private collecting in both Finland and Norway. She has been involved in developing the Finnish FindSampo portal and is also one of the founding members of the European Public Finds Recording Network (EPFRN). Image provided is copyright Karl Vilhjálmsson. 

Kiara Beaulieu has a background in archaeology and holds a Professional License to conduct archaeology in the province of Ontario, Canada. She is currently doing a PhD at the University of Antwerp examining the delicate relationship between heritage professionals and metal detecting hobbyists and if an artifact recording scheme would be feasible in Ontario, Canada. Her interests include identifying the motivation that drive metal detecting hobbyists and how their finds can create positive impacts on our understanding of the past.  

Katelijne Nolet has a background in archaeology and art-history and is currently doing a PhD at the University of Antwerp analyzing privately held Congolese art in Belgium, dating from the colonial period. Before that she worked in the professional heritage world as project coordinator of the metal detecting database MEDEA (vondsten.be). She has an interest in people’s intricate motivations behind collecting and curating art and archaeology. 

Histories is the service organization for heritage volunteers in Flanders and Brussels. We support historians, genealogists, tradition carriers, metal detectorists and other people and organizations who passionately care for heritage. Through advice, training and guidance, we keep their heritage practices and organizations alive. Through publications, databases and projects, we highlight their valuable contribution to society. Through events and networking, we build bridges between volunteers and with other fields such as education and research. Our point of contact for metal detecting is Anouk Hazelof.  

Flanders Heritage Agency is the agency of the Flemish Government that deals with immovable cultural heritage, broadly defined as archaeology, built and maritime heritage and cultural landscapes. The Agency protects immovable heritage, supports its conservation, and carries out policy-oriented research in Flanders. The main goal of the Flanders Heritage Agency is to advance an inclusive and sustainable maintenance and use of the Flanders cultural legacy. We aim to provide a frame of reference for all parties involved or interested in heritage in Flander, encourage and help people to cherish the heritage, actively contribute to building the heritage of tomorrow and show the world that Flanders Heritage is an interesting heritage partner.