Our Vision   

The Institute for Field Research (IFR) believes that archaeology field schools are exceptional tools to support the discipline and to expose students to cultures other than their own.  The IFR has two primary goals.  First, it seeks to train the next generation of professional archaeologists through engagement in innovative, cutting-edge archaeological research.  Second, it also seeks to provide students with meaningful cultural experiences that will generate lifelong relationships with archaeology and our shared human past, recognizing that most participants will pursue careers outside the discipline.  The IFR is a global program both in scope and breadth.  It allows students to choose from a broad range of locations, time periods and theoretical perspectives covering the full gamut of the archaeological experience. 

Our Mission

The Institute for Field Research (IFR) relentlessly strives to provide academic excellence and pedagogical leadership in archaeology field schools.  We uphold rigorous academic standards and maintain strong emphasis on pedagogical practices.  Each field school is directed by leading scholars in the field and provides participants with at least 225 instructional hours.  Our field schools are not simply training excavations, but are rather part of actual research projects.  Teaching is done through engagement with–and practice of–basic research.  The IFR applies strong quality controls for academic, fiscal, and safety practices and it is committed to providing students with exceptional customer service.