UNESCO has for a long term endeavored to foster underwater archaeology, research and capacity building in the framework of its 2001 Convention. The 2001 Convention on the protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage improves the protection and research of submerged archaeological sites.

Now UNESCO has established a new University Twinning Programme (Unitwin) for Underwater Archaeology. It shall bring together universities teaching underwater archaeology and increase their cooperation.

For information on statutes, meetings and activities see the UNITWIN Network Website.

The main objectives are to:

• promote research, training, information and documentation in the field of archaeology related to underwater cultural heritage;
• create an academic training network tasked with harmonizing teaching schedules and programmes;
• set up a common web portal to facilitate knowledge and information-sharing; organize regional and international conferences and seminars to promote the discipline and advance innovative research;
• carry out joint research projects; encourage inter-university cooperation; and, promote awareness on underwater cultural heritage and influencing cultural heritage.

The Universities that are part of the UNITWIN Network for Underwater Archaeology as Full Members are:

• Selçuk University, Antalya, Turkey
• University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
• University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
• University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
• Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
• University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
• Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
• Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France

The Associate Members of the Network are:

• Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
• University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
• Nottingham University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
• University of Balamand, Balamand Al Kurah, Lebenon
• Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
• Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
• University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia
• Venice University, Venice, Italy
• Catania University, Catania,  Italy

The Recognized Partners of the Network are:

• Hemmenhofen Training Centre for Inland Water Archaeology, Hemmenhofen, Germany
• Superintendent of the Sea of Region Sicily, Italy
• CASC Centre de Arqueologia Subaquatica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain

Coordinator: Flinders University, South Australia

Contact:

Dr Wendy van Duivenvoorde, Dr Jonathan Benjamin
Flinders University
Faculty of Education, Humanities and Law
Department of Archaeology, Adelaide, South Australia
Tel: +61 8 82015195, +61 8 82015875
Email: wendy.vanduivenvoorde(at)flinders.edu.au; jonathan.benjamin(at)flinders.edu.au

UNESCO Contact: Ulrike Guerin, u.guerin(at)unesco.org

Find here a list of university courses and training opportunities in underwater archaeology.