The Forum for Island Research and Experience was first established in 2003 at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London, by Jago Cooper (British Museum) and Helen Dawson (Freie Universität Berlin). Its original aim was to bring together researchers from the Institute of Archaeology for discussion and comparative debate and quickly grew in response to the growing interest from other researchers around the United Kingdom and further afield.

Nearly 16 years later, it was decided to be revived by two current PhD students, Sarah Forgesson and Jose J. Garay-Vazquez, both of whom focus on islands in the South Pacific and the Pan-Caribbean respectively (see below). 

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In 2019, FIRE aims to continue to build upon the legacy of the first network group, providing an environment for anyone interested in sharing their island research or experience in the company of like-minded individuals. 

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