22nd February 2014, 02:36 PM
Tool Wrote:There is a distinct impression from the people I speak to, some on this forum, and it's certainly the impression I get, that the IfA seems happy not to actively consult with those of us out in the field. These are the people who tend to experience the worst conditions, the worst of the hire-and-fire temporarily contracts, the lowest pay but without whom no-one else in the industry would have much data to work with. These are also the people who have the direct experience of many of the techniques and practices that become enshrined in the codes of practice (or whatever you want to call them), so are best placed to say whether they are actually practical, efficient and suit the archaeology being worked on. I'd like to see the IfA bend over backwards to reach out to those in the field (and please don't trot out the 'we have x,000 members, therefor you must be in a misguided minority': enough people in here have demonstrated a) that this segment of the industry is under-represented and b) how the figures can be highly misleading. To be representative of the industry, the IfA needs to embrace the entirety of the industry.
In the past 2 years the IfA have initiated consultations on the following (those marked DF are specifically Diggers Forum initiatives
'Working away' survey (DF)
Profiling the Profession'
International Cultural Heritage Survey
IfA Standard and guidance for archaeological advice and procurement of archaeological services.
Consultation on Chartered status
Archaeology pay and training day conference (DF)
Community archaeology in Wales day school
Selection strategies for archive deposition day school
Consultation on HER services
Valuing the profession open forum (April 2013)
Guide to the use of Social Media in archaeology
Consultation survey on CPD and Training (DF)
Salary minima consultation
IFA survey and measured recording survey
Diggers Forum session at TAG conference 2012
IFA conference 2012
IFA conference 2013
Training and professional develoment in the workplace conference
All of the above invite participation from all grades of archaeologist of any skill level and in any of the multi-disciplines that make up our profession.
It has also advertised and responded to 52 heritage related consultations in 2013 http://www.archaeologists.net/advocacy/responses/2013 and a similar number in 2012
Amongst other currently in progress are
The Future of English Heritage consultation
Archaeology in Local government consultation
Review of Research Frameworks consultation
Plus 4 issues of the Archaeologist magazine per year, the IfA website, e-mail and postal notifications to members
I would be happy to admit that there are problems communicating with staff in the field. I work in the field myself. But there are ways that the problem can be eased. One way of course is for more active engagement by field staff whether this is through the IfA or a trade union. The Diggers Forum is always on the lookout for site-based contacts to disseminate news and information.
I think it is a mistake to assume that members of the IfA are unaware of the techniques and practices used by archaeologists currently at the section-face. You may be surprised to know that many of these techniques and practices and techniques were devised and honed by members of the IfA.....eg single context recording system, stratigraphic excavation, finds and environmental techniques etc etc.
The Codes of Practice of the IfA were also designed by working field archaeologists and passed by putting these to a vote of members of the profession. I Know this to be a fact as I was on the working party for one of these. Not as a manager or consultant or devils advocate, but as a field-based member of the pofession. They were not dictated from above or outside the profession. Any code can be amended or even removed by a resolution put to popular vote.
I would actually disagree that the section-face is under represented amongst IfA members, but would agree that there is a lack of enthusiasm and involvement. The Diggers Forum has in excess of 400 members making it one of the largest IfA interest groups. But it can only work where folk are willing to put in time and effort.
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...