Seven questions with Theresa O'Mahony

Why are you interested in this subject and what do you plan to do in the future?

As a disabled mature student, I am fascinated by the story of our past and how this can be told to the public at large. I have written my dissertation on attitudes of the public and archaeologists towards disabled people like me being involved in archaeology.

I have been accepted to do the Public Archaeology MA at UCL. I want to raise awareness that disabled people can participate in archaeology, in fact making valuable contributions in every area of society.

I will be presenting at a conference at the University of Edinburgh in June, explaining my results and how negative attitudes can be changed. By raising awareness, hopefully people will see that disabled people are the same as everyone else.

I then hope to complete further research to aid disabled equality in archaeology, and in society as a whole.

What is the most interesting thing you've done, seen or got involved with while at UCL?

My excavation fieldwork, working with Thames Discovery Programme, was great.

I am now a FROG, a member of the Foreshore Recording & Observation Group.

Another highlight was working with the Bamburgh Research Project in Northumberland last year, all as a result of the UCL Institute of Archaeology ensuring that I gained the experience I needed to become an archaeologist.

The downside was that of the 38 excavations/museums that I applied to for fieldwork experience, only the two mentioned above accepted me. This is one reason why I am trying to change people's attitudes towards disabled participation in archaeology - we can do the same things as any able bodied person, if we are given the chance.

UCL fieldwork training for two weeks in my first year was also great fun.

Have you discovered any hidden gems during your time at UCL?

Well, I don't think this would help most people, but I love the disability suite, called the SEnIT Suite. You can get a lot of work done and have a coffee just next door.

Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London:

Well, the British Museum is great, holding so much of our heritage.

The West End show Made in Dagenham is brilliant, and you can get tickets and a meal for just £25! I recommend it.

If you get a usual passenger clipper on the River Thames, you can see all the sites of London at a fraction of the cost of the normal price.

If you were Provost for the day what one thing would you do?

I would ask every student to attend a short lecture delivered by disabled archaeologists talking about their experiences.

Who inspires you and why?

Matthew Johnson. He is a archaeology professor in Australia and, although disabled, he takes part in digs, writes books and is a real inspiration to me.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

One-day-a-week, I run the New Hope Project, where we take one homeless person off the street a year. We set them up with housing and provide them with information on jobs. They then get a job and become independent - it's very rewarding.