A Chester professor has been elected to the council of the UK's premier archaeology society.

Based at Chester University, professor Howard Williams was voted into the Council of the Royal Archaeological Institute (RAI).

His new role will involve researching and building new understandings about the UK's past, from prehistory to the 20th century. 

As a professor of archaeology, Howard has more than 27 years of experience in academic teaching and research.

His research explores the archaeology of death, burial and commemoration in Britain and Scandinavia in the Middle Ages - focusing in particular on early medieval Wales and the Anglo-Saxon and Viking worlds. 

Howard has more than 27 years of experience in academic teaching and research (Image via: The University of Chester)

The four-year role sees Howard become a trustee of the RAI.

"I'm honoured and excited to be able to take up this role on the RAI's Council and apply my expertise in academic research, teaching and public education relating to my specialisms in the archaeology and heritage of death and memory," said Howard.

The professor was elected to the council of the RAI, the steering group of the society, at its annual general meeting earlier this year.

The honour follows his work as honorary editor for the RAI's annual prestigious peer-reviewed publication, 'the Archaeological Journal', for six volumes produced over five years from 2012 to 2017. 

For further information about the RAI, please visit here.