Assoc ProfessorMeriel McClatchie

RESEARCH FOCUS
Assoc. Prof. Meriel McClatchie's research is focused on archaeology in Europe, with a particular interest in archaeobotany and food (from early prehistoric to early modern societies), prehistoric landscapes and settlements, and the promotion of sustainable farming practices in modern societies.

She is an Associate Professor in Archaeology at UCD School of Archaeology, Deputy Director of the UCD Earth Institute, Director of the UCD Ancient Foods Research Group, and Director of the UCD Archaeobotany Laboratory.

PUBLICATIONS
She is the author of individual and collaborative publications in high-impact, international journals and books: Google Scholar h-index 16, citations >1200.

CAREER OUTLINE
Assoc. Prof. McClatchie began her studies with a BA degree in Archaeology and History at University College Cork, then completed a Masters degree in Archaeology at University College Cork, funded by a departmental studentship. For the next four years, she worked as an archaeobotanist and archaeologist (excavation licence-eligible) at University College Cork. She then began PhD studies at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London, funded by the NUI Travelling Studentship in Archaeology.

Following completion of the PhD degree, she worked as a Research Fellow in several institutions: School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen's University Belfast, funded by the Heritage Council INSTAR programme; School of Archaeology, University College Dublin, funded by the NUI Dr Garret FitzGerald Post-doctoral Fellowship in the Humanities and funded by the Heritage Council INSTAR programme; Dept of Archaeology, University College Cork, funded by the Heritage Council INSTAR programme.

She was appointed an Assistant Professor in Archaeology (Above the Bar) at UCD School of Archaeology in 2016, and she was appointed an Associate Professor in 2021, which is her current role.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY
Assoc. Prof. McClatchie is strongly committed to promotion of best professional practice and has taken on a number of roles relating to management of professional bodies.

She is a founding member of Environmental Archaeology in Ireland (2015) and its predecessor, the Irish Archaeobotany Discussion Group (2007). These groups were established to build professional relationships, discuss discoveries, tackle problems and establish strategies for development of the profession.

She is currently a member of the management committee for the Agricultural History Society of Ireland.

Previous committee roles include:

• Association for Environmental Archaeology (AEA), Ordinary member of Managing Committee, 2004-2005; Secretary, 2005-2010
• Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland (IAI), member of the Board of Directors, 2009-2014
• Society for Medieval Archaeology, Council member, 2020-2023.
• Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, council member, 2022-2026.