School of Archaeology and Ancient History

7-9 September 2026

Come and join us for a summer school focused on archaeological theory for postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Drawing on the world leading expertise we have at the University of Leicester, we will explore current trends in archaeological theory, particularly relational and posthumanist approaches, to help you expand your knowledge and develop your own theoretical framework. We will explore the past, present and future of relational and posthumanist approaches in archaeology over three intensive days of learning.

The course will be delivered through a blend of lectures, intensive seminar sessions and workshops. In the workshops students will have the opportunity to share their own written theory work with the group to receive detailed, supportive feedback. This method of learning through workshop feedback is something that we utilise extensively at Leicester for our staff and students. We find that it results in intensive conversations about our research that provide the space necessary to think about every aspect of our written work from concepts and ideas to the use of examples and the mechanics and structure of writing itself.

Our aim is to upskill students in archaeological theory, provide a dedicated intensive space to explore high level theory questions and give students the confidence to be able to develop their own critical theoretical framework that will meet the needs of their specific research topic and area.