Projects
2025 Conference on Public Archaeology
The 2025 Conference on Public Archaeology is taking place on August 8-9, 2025 in Washington, DC! Abstract submissions are now open and advanced registration will open in March.
This meeting will be hosted by Archaeology in the Community and is intended to provide a dedicated space for public-minded archaeologists and cultural heritage practitioners to share their experiences and expertise. Over two days, we plan to host a series of workshops, panels, round-tables, and special events geared toward addressing some of the most pressing issues in the discipline, including::
- Diversifying professional and avocational representation
- Public archaeology and the Section 106 process
- Community science and heritage site stewardship
- Climate impacts to tangible and intangible heritage resources
- Harnessing digital advances for outreach and education
- Working in schools and engaging with educators
While the Conference on Public Archaeology will forego the traditional paper format, our hope is that discussion, hands-on participation, flexible formats, and professional networking will foster advances and new directions in the discipline. This is the second Conference on Public Archaeology, with the first held in Pensacola, Florida through the Florida Public Archaeology Network in 2023.
Support for the conference has been generously provided by:
Abstract Submissions
We invite you to submit your abstract for the Conference on Public Archaeology. Abstracts should be concise, with a maximum length of 1,000 characters (approximately 150-200 words). Before submitting, please review the detailed Submission Guidelines (PDF). The deadline for abstract submissions is February 10, 2025.
Please note that all participants whose abstracts are accepted will be required to register for the conference between March and July 2025.
To submit your abstract, click here.
For any inquiries, please feel free to reach out at copa@archaeologyincommunity.com
We are accepting many abstract submission types, including:
Roundtables/Panel Discussions
These sessions aim to foster discussion and gather diverse perspectives on a specific topic. Each roundtable or panel will be allocated a 1.5-hour block during the conference, though sessions may range from one to two hours. Proposals should include the names of the chair(s) and all participants/panelists. All participants must register for the conference. Hybrid participation may be available for those unable to attend in person; please indicate any video conferencing needs in your submission. While we strive to accommodate all requests, please note that equipment limitations may restrict the number of hybrid sessions.
Workshops
Workshops are designed to offer hands-on learning and in-depth exploration of topics relevant to public archaeology. Each workshop can last up to 1.5 hours. Proposals should list the chair and any additional facilitators. All facilitators are required to attend in person and register for the conference.
Posters
Posters should not exceed 36”x48” and should visually represent ongoing or completed research, projects, or activities. Bulletin boards and pins will be provided. Authors are responsible for setting up their displays and must be present during their scheduled time. It’s recommended to include contact information on the posters for follow-up questions. All poster authors must attend in person and register for the conference.
Venue Information
The Conference on Public Archaeology will take place in Washington, DC, at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center (555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001). This centrally located venue offers versatile, accessible learning spaces that will host all conference sessions, just steps from the National Mall. Participants will enjoy proximity to the Smithsonian museums and a direct view of the Capitol Building.
There is no designated conference hotel for this event, allowing participants to choose accommodations that suit their budget and preferences. We encourage early booking, especially as DC is a popular tourist destination in the summer. The Bloomberg Center does not have dedicated parking, but several parking garages, including Colonial Parking and SP+ Parking, are nearby. Please consider DC’s busy tourist season and plan your lodging and transportation accordingly.
Getting to Washington, DC
Airports
There are three airports servicing the metro Washington, DC area. The closest to the city is Washington National Airport (DCA), just across the Potomac River in Virginia. DCA has a dedicated Metro stop on the Yellow and Blue lines within the airport, and it is a short 20-minute ride to downtown. Dulles International Airport (IAD) is about 25 miles outside of the city in Virginia. It is connected to the Metro on the Silver line, and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to ride downtown. Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) is about 30 miles outside of DC, near Baltimore, Maryland. A shuttle from the airport connects to the MARC train station, which is the quickest way to take public transportation from Baltimore to DC. The ride from BWI to downtown DC is about 1.5 hours.
Sometimes roundtrip flights to DC will have you flying into one DC area airport and leaving out of a different one, and sometimes that is the less expensive option. Flights coming into BWI are also often cheaper, but it does put you farther outside of the city. Please take careful note of which airport is on your incoming and outgoing journey before booking.
Getting Around DC
DC is a highly walkable city, and there are plenty of options for getting around. Traffic can be heavy and unpredictable downtown, especially if there is an event or protest that results in road closures.There are paid parking garages near the Bloomberg Center, such as Colonial Parking and SP+ Parking.
Cabs can be flagged down on the street or you can hail one on your phone using the Curb app. You can also use Lyft and Uber mobile apps to get around. Metro railway and Metrobuses connect most of the city and the surrounding Virginia and Maryland suburbs. The Metro rail map is separated into different color lines (Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, Blue, and Silver). Buses and rail use SmarTrip passes to pay fare, which you can get as a plastic card or through a mobile wallet on your phone.
The Bloomberg Center is closest to the Archives-Navy Memorial Metro rail station on the Yellow/Green line, about 5 minutes away. The Gallery Place-Chinatown station (Green, Yellow and Red lines), Federal Triangle station (Blue, Orange and Silver lines), L’Enfant Plaza station (Orange, Blue, Silver, Green, and Yellow lines), and Judiciary Square station (Red Line) are all also within a 15-minute walk. The 32, 33, 36, 70, and P6 bus routes stop near the building.
Safety
Like any major city, traveling around DC requires a strong awareness of your surroundings. If you can avoid it, it is best not to walk alone at night if you are unfamiliar with the neighborhood.
On the National Mall, there are vendors who will try to scam unsuspecting tourists. The food trucks parked in that area, especially, are known for overcharging (beyond already-high DC prices). If you do not see prices displayed clearly, it is best to find a different vendor.
Accessibility
Archaeology in the Community is committed to providing a welcoming, accessible, and supportive environment for everyone. All meetings, activities, and events during the conference will be accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Any person requiring special accommodations is requested to inform us through the advanced registration form or contact us directly by emailing copa@archaeologyincommunity.com as soon as possible.