Meet the team

Roberta Gilchrist is Professor of Archaeology and Research Dean at the University of Reading. She has worked with Glastonbury Abbey since 2006, is a Trustee of the Abbey, and led both the ‘Glastonbury Abbey Archaeological Archive Project’ and ‘Glastonbury Abbey: archaeology, legend and public engagement’. She has published pioneering works on medieval nunneries (1994), hospitals (1995), burial practices (2005) and popular devotion (2012), as well as major studies on Glastonbury Abbey (2015) and Norwich Cathedral Close (2005). She is an elected Fellow of the British Academy and was voted Current Archaeology’s ‘Archaeologist of the Year 2016’.

Janet Bell, BA AMA is Director of Glastonbury Abbey. Her background is archaeology and she previously held curatorial and museum development posts across the south of England. Janet first came to Glastonbury Abbey as Curator and worked on the ‘Glastonbury Abbey Archaeological Archive Project’. She co-supervised, with Roberta Gilchrist, an AHRC-funded Collaborative Doctoral Studentship which examined the role of multi-vocality in interpreting the archaeology of Glastonbury Abbey, and which led to a new Interpretation Strategy for the site. Janet also collaborated with Roberta Gilchrist on all aspects of work for ‘Glastonbury Abbey: Archaeology, Legend and Public Engagement’.
Cheryl Green is Post-Excavation Manager and Historic Buildings Archaeologist at Context One Archaeological Services Ltd. Cheryl has a PhD in Archaeology from the University of Reading and was Post-Doctoral Research Assistant for the ‘Glastonbury Abbey Archaeological Archive Project’, assessing and ordering the historic excavation archive and analysing the extensive records. Cheryl has published in Medieval Archaeology and Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society Proceedings. She gives regular talks to local groups and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.
Rhianedd Smith is the Director of Academic Learning and Engagement for the University’s Museums and Special Collections. Her AHRC-funded Collaborative Doctoral Award at the University of Reading examined the role of Glastonbury Abbey’s spiritual and mythological heritage in the interpretation of the site’s archaeology for a diverse public audience. As Co-Investigator on ‘Glastonbury Abbey: archaeology, legend and public engagement’, Rhi led on the development and evaluation of new learning resources for Glastonbury Abbey’s schools programme. Rhi has 16 years’ experience facilitating engagement at the intersection of the academic and heritage sectors.

Gemma Watson is Post-Doctoral Research Assistant to Roberta Gilchrist at the University of Reading. She was responsible for the project management of ‘Glastonbury Abbey: archaeology, legend and public engagement’ and its associated website, liaising with and supporting team members at the University of Reading, Glastonbury Abbey and the Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture, University of York. Gemma has a background in archaeological research, specialising in later medieval material culture and interdisciplinary research.

Geoff Arnott graduated from the University of York with an MSc in Archaeological Information Systems. He has nearly 10 years experience within the graphics/CGI industry, 7 of those focusing primarily on heritage and the interpretation of historic and archaeological sites. Geoff helped construct the 3D visualizations of Glastonbury Abbey for inclusion in the on-site interpretative media and the Glastonbury Abbey Archaeology website.

Patrick Gibbs is Head of Technical Design at the Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture, a research centre based at the University of York. He specialises in the creation of digital interpretation for historic sites and visitor attractions via interactive touchscreens, mobile device media and online web resources. Patrick helped design and create interactive digital media for Glastonbury Abbey, and helped construct the Glastonbury Abbey Archaeology website.

Louise Hampson is the Research and Communications Officer at the Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture. She read Medieval English and History at Birmingham University and has an MA In Archive Administration from UCL, and has recently completed a part-time PhD at York on the history of the stained glass of York Minster since 1500. Louise’s research interests are stained glass, manuscript art and Viking and Anglo-Saxon culture.

Anthony Masinton is a 3D visualization specialist. He has a BA in English and Anthropology from the University of Denver and an MA in Medieval Archaeology from Durham University. He holds a PhD in Medieval Studies from the Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York. His doctoral work studied the late medieval relationship between God and man in English parish churches. Anthony helped construct the 3D visualizations of Glastonbury Abbey for inclusion in the on-site interpretative media and the Glastonbury Abbey Archaeology website.