I would like to express my gratitude to the BAA for providing funding support in the 2025 travel grant funding scheme. This funding was used to attend the International Society of Biomolecular Archaeology (ISBA11) conference in Turin, Italy, in August 2025. Attendance at this leading international forum was vital for the dissemination and advancement of my doctoral work. At ISBA11, I presented a poster detailing the largest multi-isotopic and multi-method study investigating the past lives of people from the Romano-Byzantine settlement of Ibida (Romania). This poster communicated crucial findings on population diversity and mobility at the edge of the Roman Empire.
The investment allowed for direct, high-level engagement with leading isotope and bioarchaeological scholars, providing essential feedback that will directly enhance the quality and visibility of my research. Crucially, the conference served as the platform to initiate conversations that resulted in the planned formation of an Early Career Researcher (ECR) isotope group, which will be formally affiliated with the ISBA organisation. This initiative is a significant and lasting outcome of the trip, creating new structures for mentorship, collaboration, and professional development that extend the benefits of this funding beyond my immediate project and into the wider academic community.
Thank you for the support!
Sincerely,
Mackenzie
