Membership Benefits
The DIF: Detectorists Institute and Foundation
Unique across the globe, the award-winning DIF stands as a pioneering not-for-profit and charitable organisation, dedicated to advancing research and education in the field of metal detecting and field-walking according to archaeological principles and values. With an asset-locked foundation, membership funds are reinvested into supporting detectorist-led conservation projects. We are committed to promoting detectorists as integral members of the archaeological team and to integrating SPIA Survey methodology into professional practice. This ensures a balanced conservation perspective that includes detectorists, heritage professionals, and landowners. Our mission is to benefit all members and serve the public interest by fostering a collaborative environment where every stakeholder has a voice.
Membership Benefits of Joining The DIF
- Conservation Funding: 50% of membership fees and donations support detectorist-led conservation projects in the UK and globally, enhancing archaeological discoveries with professional teams.
- Inclusive Stakeholder Representation: Membership ensures a balanced representation from detectorists, heritage professionals, and landowners to foster a comprehensive conservation approach.
- SPIA Survey Methodology: Promotes the integration of SPIA Survey methodology into professional practice, positioning detectorists as essential members of archaeological teams, in collaboration with corporate partners.
- Extensive Advisory Board: Access to the world’s largest Advisory Board of professionals and detectorists, offering unmatched expertise and networking opportunities in archaeology and conservation.
- The DIF Resource Hub: Aspiring to become the premier library for detectorist and archaeological content, The DIF Resource Hub aims to compile an extensive collection of educational, informative, and engaging materials.
- Research and Standards Development: The DIF champions research to enhance the ethical reputation of archaeo-detectorists by establishing consistent methods, standards, and guidance, ensuring professional recognition within archaeology.
- Professional Development: Our ambition is to develop a membership pathway that spans from entry-level to Fellow, including the provision of post-nominal letters as a future recognition of professional advancement within The DIF.
- Legal, Codes and Regulatory Guidance: Regular updates on detecting code, laws and regulations to ensure compliance and informed best practice.
- Educational Content and Events: Members enjoy films, lectures, interviews, panels, and articles to deepen knowledge and engagement in the field.
- Networking Opportunities: Facilitates connections with archaeological groups and contractors, landowners and professionals, crucial for collaborative and supportive relationships.
- Interactive Member Forum: A platform for lively discussions, sharing insights, and contributing to the community’s growth.
- Discounts and Special Offers: Benefits will include exclusive discounts on SPIA surveying equipment, courses and event participation fees.
The Institute as a Professional Body promotes the embedding of detecting, the combined approach of fieldwalking and metal detecting, into professional practice (SPIA) and its values are in research and education.
The Foundation is a registered charity for detectorists and has been established to help promote the work of detectorists and in selected cases, make a financial contribution towards costs associated with discovering important finds and archaeological sites.
- Further research and field test the SPIA Survey methodology, establishing a consistent approach to utilising detectorists on archaeological sites. From this, we will continue to develop standards and guidance to support the integration of detectorists as integral members of the archaeological team.
- Promote to archaeologists, the benefits of utilising Archaeo-Detectorists in community archaeology and Practitioner Detectorists in commercial archaeology.
- Help us expand our Award-Winning educational program with both class based and online courses, create interesting content and produce informative short films.
- Develop a conservation-oriented strategy, where detectorists are supported through the often confusing and costly process of preserving the archaeological record and defining newly discovered archaeological sites.
- Assist in supporting temporary on-site museums for the public and develop innovative methods for curating displays of detectorist finds within the community.
Supporting the DIF by joining as a Detectorist, Friend of the DIF, Overseas, Corporate Member or charitable donor, will help us continue to develop our mission to build bridges between detectorists and archaeologists, the wider heritage sector and the public.
Detectorists and Friends of the DIF who are eligible as UK Taxpayers, can opt for 50% of their joining fee to become a charitable donation to the Foundation. This will enable us to claim an additional 25% of the donation as Government Gift Aid, to help us support detectorists with conservational based projects.
