27th July 2012, 12:08 PM
Dinosaur Wrote:.... we've always got the impression that a lot of the mainstream academic staff would treat having direct dealings with us something akin to climbing into bed with the anti-Christ .... A large part of the issue of collaborative work with Unis would be who paid for it - IFA culture says we can't use unpaid students on commercial jobs
I recognise that there are issues regarding paying staff/students, but I was wondering more about the exchange of data and ideas and integrating students into the archaeological millieu, rather than the salary bill. Surely there is always scope of some kind for students to be involved on a voluntary basis providing they are not replacing paid staff. Judging by the number of mails from students to BAJR bemoaning the lack of opportunity or chances to get 'a foot in the door', I would imagine a lot of students would grab any opportunity to engage with the 'muddy side'.....the reverse side of the coin is alluded to by your reference to 'grey literature'. Surely there must also be potential in students/acadmics accessing relatively fresh source data that might be pertinent to future career prospects, rather than necessarily writing another thesis on 'Aspects of Melchester' or some similar site, probably more contemporary to the days of Wheeler/Kenyon than 2012....I agree it might need some bridge building, but the universities input to the FAME conference seems from all reports to be the final statement of boat-burning or creek paddling rather than anything positive. Surely that can't be allowed.....
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...