ASOR Annual Meeting attendees in Boston and online will be treated to a full academic program with more than 125 sessions and 600 presentations. The academic program and business schedule can be found on the Annual Meeting Schedules page. Registered meeting attendees also have access to the Online Schedule in the ASOR Online Portal. This is where you will find paper abstracts and virtual participants will find Zoom links (posted during conference days) to attend the sessions and workshops online.

Attendees can follow the program, create personal schedules, and connect with others in the Annual Meeting Mobile App (powered by Guidebook). Download instructions will be available in the ASOR Online Portal under the 2025 ASOR Annual Meeting / Schedule once the app is ready to use.

Boston Highlights

Free admission to the Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts is offering free general admission to ASOR Annual Meeting attendees from November 19–26, 2025. Show your ASOR name badge at the admissions desk for free entrance. For information on opening hours, planning your trip, and special exhibits (additional fee may apply), please visit the MFA website.

There are a number of special events taking place during the Annual Meeting for those who are coming to Boston. Some of these events require registered attendees to sign-up in advance.

Wednesday, November 19

3:00-4:30pm EST
Seal Carving Workshop  (Newbury Room, Hilton Boston Park Plaza) 
Led by Pinar Durgun, this workshop is free for ASOR attendees. Space is limited and advance sign-up is required. Registration is full, but please email programs@asor.org to be added to the waitlist.

3:00-5:00pm EST
Putting Objects to Work: Building Visitors’ Museum Literacy through Critical Encounters with Collections  (Harvard Art Museums) 
This free workshop will be led by Jennifer Thum from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, MA. Space is limited and advance sign-up is required. Learn more about the museum literacy workshop here.

3:00-5:00pm EST
Little Syria Walking Tour  (Chinatown Gate, Beach Street, Boston) 
This tour led by Lydia Harrington from 3 to 5 p.m. takes visitors through Boston’s first Arabic-speaking neighborhood, which thrived between the 1880s and 1950s in today’s Chinatown and South End. Space is limited and sign-up is required through this link. The tour is pay what you wish, with a suggested contribution of $15 in cash, due upon arrival. Learn more about the walking tour here.

7:00-8:30pm EST
ASOR Annual Meeting Plenary Address (Hilton Boston Park Plaza, Grand Ballroom A)
Dr. Timothy P. Harrison, Director of the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (ISAC) and Professor of Near Eastern Archaeology at the University of Chicago, will present, “The Middle East Cultural Heritage Crisis and Why It Matters.” Also available online for virtual attendees. Learn more here.

8:30-9:30pm EST
Welcome Reception (Hilton Boston Park Plaza, Grand Ballroom B)
Following the Plenary Address, ASOR Annual Meeting attendees are invited to network, socialize, and enjoy light refreshments as we get ready for three full days of sessions, workshops, posters, and fun.

Thursday, November 20

12:55-1:55pm EST
Early Career Scholars’ Brown-Bag Lunch (Georgian)
Panelists: Brita Lorentzen, James Fraser, Kathryn Grossman
Bring your lunch and join us for Applying to ASOR & ASOR-Affiliated Scholarships: Understanding Eligibility and Crafting Strong Applications. The panel will host representatives from the fellowship committees of ASOR, the Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute (CAARI), and the Albright Institute of Archaeological Research (AIAR) to talk about various funding possibilities offered through these institutions.

12:55-1:55pm EST
ASOR Roundtable Discussions (The Square, Lobby Level)
There will be a number of discussion topics offered during this lunchtime event. Advance sign-up will be required.

Friday, November 21

12:55-1:55pm EST
ASOR Members’ Meeting, Sharon Herbert, Presiding (Georgian Room, Mezzanine Level)
Bring your lunch and come for an update on the business of ASOR and the 2025 Honors & Awards.

6:30-7:30pm EST
Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute (CAARI) Reception (Boylston Room, Mezzanine Level)

8:00-10:00pm EST  
Early Career Scholars’ Reception (Off the Common, Lobby Level)
This event is for registered ASOR attendees who are Early Career Scholars. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited and ECS members must sign-up in advance here.

Saturday, November 22

10:20-10:40am EST
ASOR Raffle Drawing (Mezzanine Level)
A fun event to highlight ASOR Exhibitors during the morning coffee break on the last day of the meeting. Join us in the Exhibit Hall (Mezzanine Level) near the registration tables to see if your raffle ticket is a winner.

12:45-2:00pm EST
ASOR Poster Session (Statler Room, Mezzanine Level)
Visit the ASOR Poster Hall throughout the Annual Meeting to see all of the research projects being presented, and come to the Poster Session on Saturday to talk with the presenters and ask questions.

6:45-11:00pm EST
ASOR 125th Anniversary Celebration (Grand Ballroom A)
After the academic program ends, we invite you to a celebratory evening of exceptional dining, entertainment, and ASOR-themed activities in honor of our 125th anniversary. Enjoy inspiring remarks from speakers who have been integral in shaping ASOR’s mission. Tickets are $100 and may be purchased here. Discounted tickets are available—use code SAVE50 for a reduced ticket of $50, or use code SAVE75 for a reduced ticket of $25.