The 6th Maritime Archaeology Graduate Symposium (MAGS 2025)

Date: Spring 2025 (dates to be announced soon)
Location: The Symposium will be held at the University of Ioannina, Greece (map) (more information will follow soon). 

Organisers: Dr Panos Tzovaras (post-doctoral researcher, University of Ioannina – Honor Frost Foundation) and Dr Dimitrios Karampas (University of Oxford, Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology (OCMA)).

The 6th Maritime Archaeology Graduate Symposium (MAGS) invites scholars of Maritime Archaeology and related sub-disciplines whose studies focus on the Mediterranean. The symposium is sponsored by the Honor Frost Foundation (HFF) and the University of Ioannina (Greece). MAGS 2025 will take place over 4 days at the premises of the University of Ioannina in Greece (dates and venue tbc).

MAGS 2025 is the ideal opportunity to present your research at an international gathering. The symposium aims to attract postgraduates, young scholars, and early career researchers of maritime archaeology and related sub-disciplines, whose studies focus on the eastern Mediterranean region. As this is the first time MAGS will be held in Greece, we especially encourage participation from students and young scholars from nearby regions who may not have previously engaged with our symposium. This aims to broaden our community and enrich the academic exchange.

The MAGS 2025 aims to stand out by incorporating not only traditional academic presentations but also special sessions, interactive workshops, hands-on experiences, and mentorship opportunities. By integrating diverse perspectives, methodologies, and experiences, MAGS 2025 seeks to create a unique space that goes beyond a conventional symposium, offering, participants a holistic and enriching experience in the realm of maritime archaeology. It is aimed to provide a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, as well as a platform where emerging researchers can engage in meaningful discussions, share innovative ideas, and form lasting connections of mentors and peers, within the maritime archaeology community. MAGS 2025 aspires to feature sessions specifically designed to address the needs and challenges faced by early career researchers and offer opportunities for one-on-one interactions with established scholars.

In this MAGS, we welcome papers focusing on the development, breakthroughs of research, and recent discoveries in the Maritime Archaeology of the eastern Mediterranean region via interdisciplinary methods. For instance, the exploitation of tools offered by other sciences that can be applied in maritime contexts concerning the preservation and wider communication of the underwater and maritime cultural heritage, excavation and research of submerged sites, wrecks, reconstruction techniques, and so forth. Specifically, this symposium aims to explore and promote new methodological approaches and provide a safe, conducive environment for the discussion and research on this gradually developing field.

Besides the main theme, the HHF remains a forum focused on progress and developments in Maritime Archaeology and will also welcome contributions that extend beyond conventional topics, including the following themes:

• Nautical and Harbour Archaeology
• Maritime Networks and Social Interactions
• Maritime Cultural Landscapes and Seafaring Communities
• Geoarchaeology and Palaeoenvironments
• Sustainability and Historic Ships
• Ship science and Engineering of Ancient Boats/Harbours
• Maritime History, Ethnography and Art

Abstracts submission:
Abstracts should be kept in the range of 250 words and include the title, applicant’s details and institutional affiliation (please, refer to the “abstract guidelines” tab). Poster proposals are also accepted. Submissions should be sent to: mags.symposium2025@gmail.com. The call for papers will be announced soon. 

Paper presentation: Each presentation will be given a fifteen-minute time slot for oral delivery, followed by five minutes for questions and discussion. Attendance in person is mandatory for oral presentations.

Publication: Following the quality assessment of the research papers presented at the Symposium, speakers will be strongly encouraged to submit their work to the online HFF Short Report Series. More details to be announced in the due course. 

Bursaries

The call for bursaries will be announced soon.

For further information and updates regarding the bursary scheme and the conference in general, please refer to the MAGS website and the MAGS Facebook and X pages. For any enquiries, please contact us directly: mags.symposium2025@gmail.com.

Supporting Institutions:

HFF