26th May 2004, 06:54 PM
I believe that Chartered status for the IFA is the only way forward. Much as though I dislike the IFA for all the reasons that BAJR host mentions (as well as some more), it seems that introducing yet another body into the equation, as BoltonSquanderer seems to suggest, would just add to the confusion. We need fewer bodies in UK archaeology, I think.
EH is not the one to do it. Their responsibility must surely be in protecting the archaeology and heritage in state ownership, and in developing strategic initiatives and frameworks. HS and CADW are in the same boat, really.
CBA is more of an umbrella organisation for a whole range of groups which includes many amateur and 'fringe' elements as well as academic and professional bodies. I think they play a good role in keeping all sides of the complex entity that is archaeology in communication. Professional archaeologists are, however, only one component in the CBA's multi-layered constituency.
This brings us back to the IFA. I for one have always eschewed membership, but am increasingly tending to the view that I should join and change it from the inside?
There is much more to be considered than just wages (important though they are) which the IFA does at least attempt to address, in its own rather ineffectual way.
EH is not the one to do it. Their responsibility must surely be in protecting the archaeology and heritage in state ownership, and in developing strategic initiatives and frameworks. HS and CADW are in the same boat, really.
CBA is more of an umbrella organisation for a whole range of groups which includes many amateur and 'fringe' elements as well as academic and professional bodies. I think they play a good role in keeping all sides of the complex entity that is archaeology in communication. Professional archaeologists are, however, only one component in the CBA's multi-layered constituency.
This brings us back to the IFA. I for one have always eschewed membership, but am increasingly tending to the view that I should join and change it from the inside?
There is much more to be considered than just wages (important though they are) which the IFA does at least attempt to address, in its own rather ineffectual way.