Dr Amy Styring
University Education
PhD in Archaeological Chemistry
Organic Geochemistry Unit, University of Bristol, UK, 2007 – 2011
Thesis title: Crop d15N Value Expression in Bone Collagen of Ancient Fauna and Humans: A New Approach to Palaeodietary and Agricultural Reconstruction
Faculty of Science Commendation – for PhD theses deemed outstanding by examiners
BSc Archaeology and Chemistry, University of Exeter (First Class Honours)
Department of Archaeology, University of Exeter, UK, 2004 – 2007
Years 2 & 3: Awarded prize for the top performance in Archaeology and Chemistry
Work Experience
Research Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
African Archaeology & Archaeobotany, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany,
2017 – present
– Four-month intensive German course
– Investigating the effect of farming practices on modern crop isotope values
– Determining how farming practices changes in Burkina Faso over 3000 years
– Identifying how knowledge of past farming practice can contribute to debates surrounding present-day agricultural sustainability and resilience
Postdoctoral researcher on the European Research Council-funded Agricultural Origins of Urban Civilization project
Institute of Archaeology, University of Oxford, UK, 2013 – 2017
– Multidisciplinary research across Archaeology and Earth Sciences departments
– Isotope analysis of archaeological crop remains, animal and human bones
– Liaising with colleagues around the world to secure archaeological samples
– Cooperating with work colleagues to ensure the smooth running of the laboratory
Science, education and industry executive
Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK, 2012 – 2013
– Writing scientific policy reports and attending policy roundtable discussions
– Supporting the education team through development of careers materials and an outreach strategy
– Project-managing an exhibit at the 2012 Cambridge Science Festival
– Running a series of public lectures for up to 100 people, addressing topics from solar energy to Alzheimer’s disease
Education department intern
Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, UK, September 2011 – March 2012
– Running environmental workshops for audiences ranging from primary school children to postgraduate students and teachers
– Responding to each audience and adapting workshop content on the spot
PhD in Archaeological Chemistry
Organic Geochemistry Unit, University of Bristol, UK, 2007 – 2011
– Laboratory and field-based research into crop nitrogen cycling and the effect of manuring
– Presenting my research at national and international conferences
– Working in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team across institutions
– Working as part of a team to organise and run the ‘Palaeodetectives’ exhibit at the week-long Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition
Research Assistant, Environment and Economy Team
Members’ Research Service, Welsh Assembly, Cardiff, UK, April 2010 – July 2010
– Writing a research paper on the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy 2012
– Producing briefings for and attending meetings of the Rural Development
Sub-Committee and Sustainability Committee
Grants and Awards
NERC: A three-month funded POST secondment to the Members’ Research Service in the Welsh Assembly, Wales for research and policy support to Members (equivalent to £3400)
British Mass Spectrometry Service: Awarded travel grants on three separate occasions to attend conferences in the UK and internationally (£850 total)
Bristol University Alumni Foundation: Awarded a postgraduate travel grant to attend the international Archaeometry conference in 2008 (£400)
Millhayes Scholarship: Awarded by the University of Exeter for outstanding A-level results (£4000 over 3 years)
Organisational Skills
Organisation of International Conferences
Enhancing the relevance of crop isotope studies: what information can they provide producers? University of Oxford, 12 Nov 2014
Drafting guest list, writing invitations, liaising with attendees, organising catering and accommodation, ensuring smooth running of the workshop, presenting key information
Pan Africa Chemistry Network Congress on Agricultural Productivity, Water and Waste United Nations Conference Centre, Ethiopia, 26-27 Nov 2012
Managing a £70,000 budget, advertising conference, liaising with speakers, organising flights, accommodation and catering, designing abstract booklet, ensuring success of conference for 120 participants from 20 countries
Research Expeditions – Leading
Sampling trip to Rif region, Morocco, May 2014
Leading a team of 5 people, sampling modern crops for isotope analysis at various sites in northern Morocco, collaborating with colleagues from Tétouan University, translating French into English, ensuring appropriate import permissions, planning sampling strategy
Sampling trip to Lake Constance, Germany, May 2013
Leading a team of 2 people, sampling modern plants for strontium isotope analysis, collaborating with colleagues from the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege, translating German into English, planning sampling strategy
Teaching / Mentoring
Supervision of lab technician, 2014 – present
Directing the workload for a lab technician, training in lab procedures, adherence to health and safety regulations, regular monitoring of progress
Tutoring Archaeology & Anthropology undergraduate students, 2014 – present
Leading tutorials on ‘World Archaeology’, ‘The Nature of Archaeological Enquiry’ and ‘Urbanisation and Complex Societies’ for first and second year undergraduate students
Supervision of a masters student, 2008 – 2009
Providing training and mentoring for a chemistry masters student working on the effect of charring and burial on cereal grains, collaborating on the publication of a peer-reviewed journal article
STEM ambassador, 2009 – 2011
Running chemistry workshops in schools and talking about being an archaeological chemist
Technical / Practical Skills
Laboratory Skills: Over 10 years of lab work in Chemistry, Archaeology and Earth Sciences laboratories
In-depth practical understanding of isotope instrumentation: Methodological PhD and 2+ years of postdoctoral experience working on isotope analysis
Geographic Information Systems: Trained on an 8-week taught masters course
Statistics: Competent user of Microsoft Excel and R
First Aid: Emergency First Aid at Work, valid from 19 Mar 2014-18 Mar 2017
Fieldwork Safety Overseas and Emergency First Aid for Fieldworkers: Training courses completed in 2013
Amy Styring 