Personal profile
Biography
Education: PhD Ulster University, 2006, MA Queens University Belfast, 1997, BSc Hons Ulster University, 1993. Wes worked in commercial archaeology before joining the Irish government's Underwater Unit (OPW) in Dublin. He came to Ulster as a Research Fellow in 1999, and was appointed lecturer in 2008.
Research Interests
Wes is a maritime archaeologist, with interests in the activities and economies of coastal communities in the medieval and post-medieval eras. His research examines strategies for exploiting and utilising marine resources and their resulting effect on the coastal landscape. Much of his work has been focused on Ireland and Scotland and their islands investigating monuments related to fishing, kelp- and salt-making . He has also made contributions to Arabic and Swahili archaeology along the East African coast from Sudan to Mozambique. This work has investigated medieval settlements and explored their maritime infrastructure and role within broader Indian Ocean networks and economies.
Current and Recent Grants
Funding has come from a range of sources including research institutes, government, charities and trusts. Recently funded projects included grants from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Honor Frost Foundation, and the Global Challenges Research Fund.
External positions
Committee, Ulster Maritime Heritage
1 Jul 2019 → …
Committee, Irish Post-Medieval Archaeology Group
Standing Committee Member (Archaeology), Royal Irish Academy
Keywords
- CC Archaeology
- maritime
- post-medieval
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Coastal Saltworks and Atlantic Opportunities at Two Early Modern Sites on the North Coast of Ireland
Forsythe, W., Mc Conkey, R. & Breen, C., 30 Nov 2025, In: European Journal of Archaeology. 28, 4, p. 460-479 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile18 Downloads (Pure) -
Crafting The Brockley Axe: The VR Experience
Melki, H. (Designer), McGlade, M. (Designer), McCraken, R. (Designer), Green, M. (Other), Green, E. (Other) & Forsythe, W. (Other), 2025Research output: Non-textual form › Digital or Visual Products
File14 Downloads (Pure) -
Future Island-Island Impact Cards: Oral Histories: Learning from Rathlin
Bates, J. (Lead Author), Forsythe, W., Fomin, M., Dargie, S. (Illustrator), Melki, H. (Photographer), Quigley, T. (Illustrator) & Brolly, R. (Illustrator), 2025, 1 ed. Belfast. 2 p.Research output: Book/Report › Other report
File41 Downloads (Pure) -
Rathlin Island, Antiquarians and the Gaelic Revival
Forsythe, W., 1 Sept 2025, Antrim History and Society: Interdisciplinary essays on the history of an Irish County. Murphy, E. & Donnelly, C. (eds.). Dublin: Geography Publications, p. 275-292 17 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Unpath'd Waters: Science and the Sea
Roberts, M., Forsythe, W. & Quinn, R., 11 Feb 2025, (Zenodo)(Zenodo)(Zenodo)Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Open AccessFile71 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Award of Merit - Society for Historical Archaeology
Forsythe, W. (Recipient), 2013
Prize: Honorary award
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Activities
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Rathlin - An Island of Maritime Stories: Learning from Oral History
Bates, J. (Speaker), Fomin, M. (Speaker) & Forsythe, W. (Speaker)
20 Feb 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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Are we still Sea Blind?
Forsythe, W. (Speaker)
7 Feb 2025 → 9 Feb 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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Universität Tübingen (Publisher)
Forsythe, W. (Reviewer)
30 Jan 2024Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Editorial work
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Universität Tübingen (Publisher)
Forsythe, W. (Reviewer)
23 Jan 2024Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Publication Peer-review
Press/Media
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A Cultural Crossroads in European Boat Building: The Madill Archive Project.
15/12/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Projects
- 21 Finished
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FII: AHRC funded Green Transition Ecosystem: Future Island-Island
Magee, J. (PI), Bates, J. (CoI), Folli, R. (CoI), Keeney, D. (CoI), Montgomery, I. (CoI), Power, S. (CoI), Dixon, B. (CoI), Parkin, A. (CoI), Gault, A. (CoI), Melki, H. (CoI), Fleming, K. (CoI), Dargie, S. (CoI), Quigley, T. (CoI), Chen, Y. (CoI), Logan, D. (CoI), Meakin, E. (CoI), Brolly, R. (CoI), Dunlop, P. (CoI), Moore, P. (CoI), McGinn, M. (CoI), Golden, S. (CoI), Lyons, F. (CoI), O'Connor, K. (CoI), Fomin, M. (CoI), Pourshahidi, K. (CoI), Charles, D. (CoI), Mc Garrigle, C. (CoI), Quinn, J. (CoI), McIlhagger, A. (CoI), Fernandez-Ibanez, P. (CoI), Byrne, J. (CoI), Forsythe, W. (CoI), O'Neill, P. (CoI), Jackson-Smyth, J. (CoI), Duffy, A. (CoI), Yazirlioglu, L. (CoI), Morgan, B. (CoI), Newell, K. (CoI) & Singleton, R. (CoI)
Arts and Humanities Research Council
1/10/23 → 30/09/25
Project: Research
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'Unpath'd Waters': Marine and Maritime Collections in the UK
Forsythe, W. (PI) & Quinn, R. (CoI)
Arts and Humanities Research Council
14/11/21 → 13/11/24
Project: Research
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The Madill Archive Project
Forsythe, W. (PI), Breen, C. (CoI) & Westley, K. (CoI)
1/03/20 → 30/09/23
Project: Research
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Sea Gods, Shipwrecks and Sidhe Folk
Jackson, H. (CoI) & Forsythe, W. (PI)
25/09/19 → 31/12/19
Project: Research
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Marine Cultural Heritage in Northern Mozambique Project
Forsythe, W. (PI), Cooper, A. (CoI), Hunter, W. R. (CoI), McGonigle, C. (CoI), Plets, R. (CoI) & Westley, K. (CoI)
1/02/19 → 30/06/22
Project: Research