Joe Flatman is the Head of Central Casework and Programmes in the Designation Department of English Heritage (the department responsible for listing historic buildings and scheduling archaeological sites in England); he was previously a senior lecturer in archaeology at University College London and the County Archaeologist of Surrey. His book Becoming an Archaeologist was named Current Archaeology Magazine’s Book of the Year in 2012. He lives in London with his wife and daughter.

Joe is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London; A Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists; and a Trustee of the Council for British Archaeology. He has worked as an archaeologist across Britain, Europe, North Africa and Australia, including teaching at a number of universities as well as working as a freelance heritage consultant.

Joe has a BA in archaeology and history, an MA in maritime archaeology, and a PhD in archaeology, all from the University of Southampton in Britain. He has published widely on a range of heritage subjects, his most recent books including Prehistoric Archaeology of the Continental Shelf: A Global Review (2014); Archaeology in Society: Its Relevance in the Modern World (2012) and Becoming an Archaeologist: A Guide to Professional Pathways (2011). He also regularly reviews heritage-themed books for a variety of other publications.