25th September 2009, 08:36 PM
Without wishing to get too bogged down... but still keen to sustain discussion of this important topic.
Well the devil in me would say - "you might very well agree to abide by the IfA guidelines, but what happens if you don't?". Yes your LPA archaeologist might be able to pick you up, but on many of your other projects this might not apply. It may not directly affect your ability to practise, but increasingly the RO scheme is affecting that at a practical level. As for the EAA, well, certainly part of me would agree with you - why set up a new organisation?... except I don't think that the EAA is set up that way, and it is not the inclination of the present board and membership to do that.
Essentially yes, the UK IfA will be an equal voice among many, as I think I indicated in a previous post. Still not sure this is about 'telling people' anything - rather it is about using the experience of the IfA and other professional institutes to help others. (Just as BAJR is helping others set up community groups and projects, and providing guidance on how to do things through its excellent set of guides).
Yes it is already happening, but the opportunities are not always equally available to all. Thus (for instance) you can go to Croatia and do site surveys, but what of Croatian archaeologists wanting to look at (say) Wessex barrows? Are there equivalent requirements for reporting and notification of the appropriate authorities? What about requirements for publication? I am sure, as an adherent of best practice, that you will have lodged a report with the relevant Croatian authorities, and will publish a summary of your work in their national journal (or in some otherwise accessible medium). Of course you will do that because you agree (as you said above) to abide by the IfA code of conduct etc., but who is going to ensure that someone less reputable/ethical than yourself will do the same? (Don't get me started on French employment laws). As to the EAA, as I said above, I am not sure that that organisation is either appropriate or indeed itself minded to take up that role.
Actually I think I said:
"The best way to get engaged is to become involved with the activities of the IfA..."
...which doesn't necessarily mean joining. After all it is perfectly possible to attend the IfA conference as a non-member (and indeed organise a session as a non-member - a non-member was co-organiser of a session in which I spoke this year). But yes, the best way is probably to join, and no, sadly, I am not on commission!!!!
Keep the discussion flowing!
Quote: This is perhaps a quasi semantic statement, as I too agree to abide to IfA Guidelines without being a member ? like most archaeologists in the UK (at last count) ? I agree the IfA has real powers of disciplinary action ? however, more importantly, to suggest it affects am individuals ability to practice - to be brutally honest? it does not. Would it not be easier for the EAA to ?add? enforceable standards to its role, rather than build a new organisation?
Well the devil in me would say - "you might very well agree to abide by the IfA guidelines, but what happens if you don't?". Yes your LPA archaeologist might be able to pick you up, but on many of your other projects this might not apply. It may not directly affect your ability to practise, but increasingly the RO scheme is affecting that at a practical level. As for the EAA, well, certainly part of me would agree with you - why set up a new organisation?... except I don't think that the EAA is set up that way, and it is not the inclination of the present board and membership to do that.
Quote:So rather than tell people what to do, it will tell people how to do it. The question remains however about the role of the IfA UK - it becomes on voice among many then?. Each equally represented in a new organisation called the International IfA?
Essentially yes, the UK IfA will be an equal voice among many, as I think I indicated in a previous post. Still not sure this is about 'telling people' anything - rather it is about using the experience of the IfA and other professional institutes to help others. (Just as BAJR is helping others set up community groups and projects, and providing guidance on how to do things through its excellent set of guides).
Quote:I still hold that this movement of archaeologists is already happening, poles coming to the UK, Irish coming to the UK, UK to Germany, and France?.etc? indeed when I see French and UK employment laws being on a level playing field I will be very happy! I still suggest that the EAA is already in the right place to reform to cope with that.
Yes it is already happening, but the opportunities are not always equally available to all. Thus (for instance) you can go to Croatia and do site surveys, but what of Croatian archaeologists wanting to look at (say) Wessex barrows? Are there equivalent requirements for reporting and notification of the appropriate authorities? What about requirements for publication? I am sure, as an adherent of best practice, that you will have lodged a report with the relevant Croatian authorities, and will publish a summary of your work in their national journal (or in some otherwise accessible medium). Of course you will do that because you agree (as you said above) to abide by the IfA code of conduct etc., but who is going to ensure that someone less reputable/ethical than yourself will do the same? (Don't get me started on French employment laws). As to the EAA, as I said above, I am not sure that that organisation is either appropriate or indeed itself minded to take up that role.
Actually I think I said:
"The best way to get engaged is to become involved with the activities of the IfA..."
...which doesn't necessarily mean joining. After all it is perfectly possible to attend the IfA conference as a non-member (and indeed organise a session as a non-member - a non-member was co-organiser of a session in which I spoke this year). But yes, the best way is probably to join, and no, sadly, I am not on commission!!!!
Keep the discussion flowing!