Sophie Elpers is a Senior Researcher and Head of the Department of Ethnology at the Meertens Institute in Amsterdam, and Professor of Intangible Heritage and Ethnology at the University of Antwerp. Drawing on her expertise in critical heritage studies and intangible heritage, she possesses in-depth knowledge of the theoretical frameworks and heritage paradigms surrounding metal detecting. She is now particularly looking forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the field itself: the motivations and practices of metal detectorists, the knowledge they develop and exchange, the emotions that shape their engagement, the networks within which their activities are embedded, and the opportunities and challenges they face in the broader heritage field.