Association of Young Irish Archaeologists

The Association of Young Irish Archaeologists or AYIA was founded in Belfast in 1968 by a group of students from Queens University Belfast. Membership is automatic for individuals who are members of the AYIA's affiliated societies in the various Universities, Institutes and Colleges around the country, however, recent graduate students and those relatively new to the profession are also eagerly encouraged to participate. The AYIA governing council is elected annually from representatives from the University, Institute or College where the next conference is planned to take place. The purpose of the association is to further communication and co-operation between interested parties, to provide a forum for new ideas and to foster interest and enthusiasm for archaeology at a 'junior' level in Ireland. As is clear from this, the use of the word 'young' is somewhat misleading as the AYIA's members may include individuals of any age who are undergraduates, postgraduates or relatively new to the profession and related disciplines. The level of activity of the AYIA has fluctuated somewhat since its inception, demonstrated by the lack of an annual conference some years. The conference, however, is the association's main event and is hosted in rotation by the various student societies.