DrPenny Johnston

I am a Teaching Fellow in Folklore and Ethnology. My research interests range from folklore and oral history to archaeology and digital humanities. 

I began my career with a BA in History and Archaeology at University College Cork, followed by an MSc in Environmental Archaeology and Paleoeconomy at the University of Sheffield. Between 1997 and 2011 I spent my time working as an archaeobotanist and post-excavation manager (with occasional forays into field archaeology) for organisations such as Margaret Gowen and Co. Ltd. and Eachtra Archaeological Projects. I then completed a Masters degree in Electronic Communication and Publishing in University College London, before returning to my alma mater in Cork to do a PhD in the Department of Folklore and Ethnology/Béaloideas.

I have worked as a researcher on projects about food (FOODSEC) and chronology (Project Time and Radiocarbon Ireland) for the Department of History, Politics and Philosophy in Manchester Metropolitan University and the School of Archaeology in UCD.

I have served on the board of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland, the editorial board of the Journal of Irish Archaeology and the steering committee of the Oral History Network of Ireland.