High profile public campaign

[Shorty]

Hello all. This is my first post here but I've been reading all your posts for a while. I worked in newspaper journalism for 14 years before going into history, and I know there's nothing like a co-ordinated high-profile press spotlight to embarrass certain groups into action. No-one likes their dirty laundry aired in public. The pay/conditions/bureacracy archaeologists work under has never ceased to amaze me, but the biggest strengths of these groups is that archaeology is a hidden area to most of the public. A low profile mean minimal accountability.

Time Team has done wonders for archaeology's profile (although some may argue this point), but the public is now under the impression that archaeologists are merry, thigh-slapping, cider-drinking eccentrics, who care not a whit about bills and rent, just free spirits communing with the past and dreaming of Stonehenge...etc etc. It never enters anyone's head that many archaeologists are almost living hand-to-mouth.

Badger, I hope it goes well with the MSPs. I know the issue is complex, but it would be nice to see some public justification for archaeological practices, as opposed to simply justifying them to archaeologists, knowing full well their hands are tied. The public's a pretty powerful ally, though, so a press campaign would be ideal. Wow, I talk a lot for a newcomer. I'll shut up now...