The APABE Panel consists of a standing committee of up to 6 members (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and three appointed members), and a consultative forum of up to 24 members.
Standing Committee
Dr Martin Smith (APABE Chair) is Associate Professor of Biological Anthropology at Bournemouth University. He has over 20 years experience training students to excavate and interpret human remains from archaeological and forensic contexts. His research focuses on the ways past peoples treated their dead, created social worlds for the living and engaged in conflict. He has repeatedly engaged in ethical debates at a national level regarding the nature and impact of decisions over the treatment of human remains. He has authored over 60 publications including four books on archaeological human remains. Martin joined APABE in November 2020 and took up the post of Chair in June 2025.
Dr Elizabeth Popescu (APABE Secretary) is the Head of Post-Excavation and Publication at Oxford Archaeology's Cambridge office. She has worked in commercial archaeology for more than 30 years, with a particular interest in cemetery studies. She has produced and edited numerous publications on subjects linked to the study of human remains of all periods, including monographs and articles. She is currently APABE Secretary and has been a member of the panel for many years, representing commercial archaeology.
Dr Simon Mays is Senior Human Skeletal Biologist at Historic England. He is also a visiting member of staff at the Department of Archaeology at the University of Southampton, and at the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh. He was a founder member of APABE, and was lead author on most of the APABE guidance documents, as well as leading the production of Historic England advice on human remains. He has more than 200 publications in the scientific and other academic literature, on subjects ranging from ancient biomolecules to the study of Mediaeval folk beliefs.
Dr James Miles is the Data Manager for the Cathedral and Church Buildings department of the Church Commissioners. He manages the Church of England's planning system and ensures compliance with legislative requirements through their exemption from listed building consent. He supports data collection across the Church's 42 dioceses and collaborates with external organisations to enhance the Church's heritage data. Additionally, he provides expertise on archaeological aspects of casework and manages the production of guidance produced through the Church Buildings Council and the Cathedral Fabric Commission for England. James has a strong focus on legislative requirements and a particular interest in computational methods within an archaeological setting, having conducted work across Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania. James is a Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and a former executive officer for Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (international).
Consultative Forum
Dr Daniel Antoine is the Keeper (Head) of the Department of Egypt and Sudan at the British Museum. Until 2020, he was responsible for the Museum’s collection of human remains as Curator of Bioarchaeology. Before joining the Museum in 2009, Daniel was a Leverhulme Trust (2006-2009) and Wellcome Trust Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2002-2005) at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London, where he gained his PhD in 2001. He has published widely on the scientific study of mummies and human skeletal remains, bioarchaeology, and dental anthropology, including Regarding the Dead: Human Remains in the British Museum (2014) with Alexandra Fletcher and JD Hill. He is the former President of the Dental Anthropology Association (2019– 2021), an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London, since 2009, and joined ABABE in 2010.
David Baker was Conservation & Archaeology Officer in Bedfordshire County Planning Department 1972-97, and is now Joint Principal of Historic Environment Conservation. As Archaeological Adviser to St Albans Diocese from 1973 (Bedfordshire and latterly Hertfordshire) and a member of the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England from 2012 he has been involved in the management of excavated human remains, including from a personal 1960s project at Elstow Abbey in Bedfordshire.
Jelena Bekvalac FSA, is Curator of Human Osteology at the Centre for Human Bioarchaeology, London Museum, working at the Centre since its establishment in 2003 funded by Wellcome Trust grant. Jelena has worked on archaeological excavations in England and overseas, including the extraordinary Spitalfields Market excavation. She co-curated 'Skeletons: London's Buried Bones' exhibition at Wellcome (2008) and the regional touring Skeletons: Our Buried Bones (2016-2018), and was lead curator for Doctors, Dissection and Resurrection Men exhibition at Museum of London. Jelena has particular research interest in post-medieval period, has written book chapters and research papers based on the curated London collections, and co-authored with Gaynor Western Manufactured Bodies: The Impact of Industrialisation on London Health, funded by Rosemary Green award, CoLAT. In 2023, Jelena became President of the British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology.
Dr Angela Boyle is an independent bioarchaeologist with a strong background in commercial archaeology. She has over 30 years experience in the excavation and analysis of human remains of all periods. Her research interests include skeletal trauma, post-medieval burial practice and ethical issues relating to human remains. She has written or contributed to more than 100 publications on human remains. She has been a member of APABE since its inception and was secretary from 2012 to 2016.
Quinton Carroll is Head of Natural & Historic Environment at Cambridgeshire County Council, which includes the former role of County Archaeologist. A curatorial archaeologist for over 25 years, he specialises in archaeological information/archiving and stewardship of the historic environment. Since 2002 he is the Diocesan Archaeological Adviser for the Diocese of Peterborough, and is a former chair of the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers. He served as a nominee of the Secretary of State (DCMS) on the Church Buildings Council and the Statutory Advisory Committee on Redundant Churches. He was been a member of APABE since its inception.
Dr Philip Dixon is a retired professor at the universities of Aarhus and Durham and was head of department at the University of Nottingham. He has worked in archaeology since 1964 and he has been the archaeological consultant at seven cathedrals and great churches, and is now the director of the consultancy company PDA Ltd.
Prof Rebecca Gowland is a Professor in Human Bioarchaeology at Durham University. She has been training MSc students in the analysis of human skeletal remains from archaeological sites for over 20 years. She also collaborates with international agencies to train those working in humanitarian forensic contexts. Rebecca's research explores the interplay between the body, identity and society and often focusses on marginalised demographics such as infants, children and older people. She has published widely on these topics, including four books. Rebecca has also held senior leadership roles at Durham University, including Deputy Executive Dean for People and Culture and acting Deputy Provost.
David Hillelson is managing director of Heritage Network, a well-established commercial practice specialising in archaeology and the historic environment. He has more than 40 years' experience in excavating human remains from Iron Age and Roman inhumation and cremation cemeteries, and from medieval and post-medieval graveyards. David has a strong interest in church archaeology and has evolved effective strategies to minimise the impacts of development in churchyards. He is archaeological adviser to the Diocese of Newcastle, and has served on APABE since 2009.
Dr Louise Humphrey is a Research Leader at the Natural History Museum, working within the fields of Biological Anthropology and Archaeology. Her research focuses on reconstructing life history from skeletal and dental evidence, with a particular focus on infancy and childhood. She is codirector of a longstanding archaeological project in Morocco. Louise has been a member of ABABE since its inception and contributed to the ABABE Guidance on Best Practice and Science and the Dead.
Rob Lennox is the Policy and Advocacy Manager at the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA). As the CIfA representative to APABE, he seeks to reflect wider sector issues, policy, and professional practice issues relevant to the Panel’s discussions. CIfA has a key interest in supporting the expert advice on archaeological burials that is provided by the APABE of the archaeological sector as part of its roles as the lead professional institute representing archaeology in the UK and overseas.
Jacqueline McKinley is the Principal Osteoarchaeologist at Wessex Archaeology. She has worked in archaeology since 1977 (joining Wessex Archaeology in 1999) as both fieldwork director and osteoarchaeologist, on projects located across the British Isles. As an osteoarchaeologist, specialising in the analysis and study of cremated human bone together with the investigation of mortuary rites and formation processes, she has analysed and reported on human remains from over 600 sites, encompassing a broad temporal range from the Mesolithic to the post-medieval. Jacqueline has been involved in the production of numerous guidelines for excavation and analytical procedures (e.g. CiFA; INFORCE; BABAO/CiFA) and has written extensively on cremation. She is a founder member of BABAO, has served on APABE since its inception, has been a regular visiting lecturer at several universities, and commonly works with the media.
Dr Harold Mytum is Professor of Archaeology at the University of Liverpool. His research interests include the study of material remains and cultural practices in historic mortuary contexts, particularly those involving memorials and burial landscapes, crypts, and coffin fittings; he also explores ethics and practice in the recording or excavation of burial sites. Harold has produced over 70 publications linked to mortuary archaeology, including five authored or co-edited books. He has over 40 years' experience training students and community groups in graveyard recording and over 35 years as Archaeological Advisor on the York Diocesan Advisory Committee. Harold has served as President of the Society for Post-medieval Archaeology (2013-2017) and was editor of Medieval Archaeology for nine years.
Dr Rebecca Redfern is a bioarchaeologist by training and has been working in the heritage sector since 2003 and is now Senior Curator of Archaeology at London Museum. Prior to joining the museum, she worked for Museum of London Archaeology and was Curator of Physical Anthropology at the British Museum. Rebecca is a visiting research fellow at Newcastle University and a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. She was President of the British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology, and led the publication of their practice and ethics policies. Rebecca has also produced professional guidelines and provided advice for heritage institutions and organisations across the UK and Europe.
Dr Jane Sidell is principal inspector of Ancient Monuments for Historic England, and has a background in archaeological science and an interest in burial ground archaeology and the combination of the physical anthropology with the historical and social records. This is in particular regard to London and the exploration of London’s burial grounds through developer-funded excavation. She has contributed to a variety of guidance documents on the subject.
Barney Sloane was a field archaeologist for the Museum of London from 1986 to 1999, excavating medieval religious houses and their cemeteries, and project managing the publication of more. In 1999 he joined the University of Reading to research and, with Prof Roberta Gilchrist, co-author Requiem: The Medieval Monastic Cemetery in Britain (2005). He joined (then) English Heritage in 2003 to manage its research grants programme. In 2010 he became Head of Strategic Planning and Management. He wrote a history of The Black Death in London (2011). In 2017 he was appointed National Specialist Services Director, responsible for (now) Historic England's teams of archaeologists, heritage scientists and historic buildings technical conservation specialists. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and Board member of the European Archaeological Council.
Dr Sarah Stark is a human skeletal biologist at Historic England with over 13 years of experience in the heritage and academic sectors. Her career began in California as a NAGPRA laboratory technician in 2009. She holds an MA (2013) and PhD (2018) from the University of Southampton, where she remains a visiting researcher and has lectured at both Southampton and UCL. Her research explores human morphological adaptations, phenotypic variation, funerary practices, paleopathology, and biomolecular analysis. Sarah joined APABE upon taking her role at Historic England in 2021.