Meet the team
The Understanding Landscapes project is delivered by a team of archaeologists. Find out more about them here.
Prof. Stephen Rippon
Stephen is Professor of Landscape Archaeology at the University of Exeter. His teaching and research covers the sources and techniques used in understanding the history of our countryside, with a particular focus on the Roman and medieval periods in South West Britain. He is the author of Historic landscape Analysis (published by the Council for British Archaeology) and Making Sense of an Historic Landscape (Oxford University Press).
Dr Chris Smart (Project Manager)
Chris is an archaeologist at the University of Exeter who specialises in the heritage of Roman and medieval Britain. Chris developed the Understanding Landscapes project with Stephen in order to progress their research on Roman and medieval landscapes in Devon and Cornwall, and hopefully answer some of the many unanswered questions from their previous work together. He directs survey and excavation at the site of Calstock Roman fort and has previously engaged local schools, the public and project partners in heritage-led projects in the Tamar Valley.
Catherine Farnell (Heritage Educator)
Catherine is an experienced primary school teacher and field archaeologist. Over the last five years she has successfully involved children and families in archaeology and heritage. She has designed and produced creative educational resource packs for schools and libraries, and developed and delivered workshops and family events across the South West. She enjoys working collaboratively to bring heritage to life and is passionate about developing new ways to engage children in archaeology and heritage. In 2015 she authored a children’s story book about the Iron Age which formed the basis for a range of learning resources engaging and enthusing young children about prehistory.