Sadie Watson

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Sadie Watson is a leading archaeologist who promotes social value in development-led archaeology. She is Site Director at Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), a UKRI Future Leader Fellow, and an Honorary Research Associate at the University of York. She has also played important roles in the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and is known for work on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in archaeology and Roman London.

Education
- BSc in Heritage Conservation from the University of Bournemouth (1995)
- MA in Archaeology and Heritage from the University of Leicester (2000)
- PhD from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (2016) with the thesis “Digging London: a reflexive look at archaeology in the western part of the city,” examining modern theories of fieldwork and their usefulness in a pressured commercial environment

Career and focus
- Began in archaeology in 1995; joined Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) in 1998
- Project Officer (2009), overseeing major multi-period sites in London
- Excavation Director in the City of London (2008–2019), directing award-winning excavations including Bloomberg London
- Archaeologist in Residence at the MacDonald Institute, University of Cambridge, researching challenges in practice and how the sector can improve
- UKRI AHRC Future Leader Fellowship at MOLA, focusing on reframing the value provided by development-led archaeology
- Advocates for social value and improvements in equity, diversity and inclusion within archaeology
- Also known for work on Roman London

Public speaking and honors
- Plenary speaker at the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists conference (May 2025)
- Keynote at the Theoretical Archaeology Group meeting in York (December 2025)

Her honors
- Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London (FSA)
- Accredited Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (MCIfA)