James is an archaeological geophysicist working in the academic sector, with specialisms in the use of legacy data; 4D time-lapse assessments; the application of electromagnetic induction for the assessment of archaeological sites within challenging environments and variable geological backgrounds; induced polarisation, upland archaeology; conflict archaeology and archaeological deposits threatened by coastal erosion.
James developed an interest in archaeological geophysics during his BA (King Alfred’s College, 2000) and specialised in geophysics with an MSc in Archaeological Prospection (University of Bradford, 2001). James worked for a small number of private sector archaeological and geophysical companies in the UK before moving to Ireland and creating Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics. Between 2010-2014, James carried out PhD research funded by a National Roads Authority Fellowship Programme "A reappraisal of archaeological geophysical surveys on Irish road corridors 2001-2010" (University of Bradford, 2014), which resulted in a number of peer-reviewed publications and a procedural guidance document for Transport Infrastructure Ireland staff on commissioning and procuring of geophysical surveys on infrastructure projects.
James has been a Lecturer since 2014 at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of Technology Sligo, Ireland, where he's responsible for delivering modules in Applied Archaeology including practical and theoretical Archaeological Geophysics, GIS and Geoarchaeology as well as supervising post-graduate projects.
James is the current Vice Conference Secretary and has previously served on the Management Committee as Conference Secretary, having organized the 13th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection in 2019.