Latest Job Losses in Archaeology Report Available

[Kathryn Whittington]

The latest report on job losses in archaeology can be downloaded from the IfA's website http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/ic...il2009.pdf. This report covers the period January - April 2009 and has been compiled by IfA's Kenneth Aitchison on behalf of IfA and FAME.

Further information about how IfA are responding to the current recession can be found on the recession page http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/ic...p?page=219.

[Paul Belford]

Many thanks to the IfA for this helpful and timely report.

[kevin wooldridge]

Grim reading......

I wonder Kathryn, if for the next 2 quarters there might be some attempt to count the number of graduating students who are failing to find work. It seems to me that this year may count as the all time low for new entrants into the profession and maybe that would further reinforce the 'loss of skills' aspect to the reports....

(I admit that I can't think of a simple way of counting students other than through a direct appeal to the institutes of further education or the students themselves..)

With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...

[BAJR Host]

Thanks for that as well...
Will soon be able to provide the BAJR survey to this as well.. with 100+ replies to get through.
I hope it shows a glimmer of more hope.

"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."
Niccolo Machiavelli

[BAJR Host]

Just to add... that was a though and informative snapshot. well done... it give facts to work with

"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."
Niccolo Machiavelli

[trowelmonkey]

Tune into Radio 4 at three today for Making History (assuming your place of work has a licence for the radio from the scary folk at PRS)

[BAJR Host]

Will do.

I may wait until after to comment more.

"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."
Niccolo Machiavelli

[BAJR Host]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm very thought provoking
perhaps I might email in

"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."
Niccolo Machiavelli

[trowelmonkey]

Glad to see archaeology and planning mentioned to a wider audience.

I like the range of links they've provided to allow listeners to explore further:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00jxfqn

Does anybody else feel that the Beeb scoured the land for the most anti-commercial archaeology academic they could find or is this still normal? Because I feel rather belittled, like I actually do burrow throw the earth with my hands for 1/2 hour before letting the developer buy me a pint as the 360's roll in.

I wish there'd been a little more time to explain how PPG16 works and where do the curators come in?

[BAJR Host]

I sent this email to them...

as an individual .. I explained I was not represnting anyones views but my own.

I find myself agreeing with both, but glad that Kenny managed to explain developer funded archaeology.. is it a first in the media!

anyway....

As the director of the British Archaeological Jobs and Resources website, the archaeological jobsite and forum for professional archaeologists and interested members of the public, this debate has been played out over the years, and indeed it was pointed out many times that the levels could not be sustained at those described within the current framework.

Where developer funded archaeology differs, is, as Jan says, the client. As commercial archaeologists, we have a duty to the developer to carry out work that fulfils the requirements to obtain planning permission, but often no more than that. Time constraints on development can put severe pressures on archaeologists who use all their skills, and the fieldstaff are skilled, to gather the data. Fieldwork is of course only part of the story, and the potential knock on effect of also losing skilled specialists who study the data cannot be under-estimated.

However, where I find myself trying to find a common ground, is that the public are the ones who own the past, not the developer, not the archaeologist. In a recent discussion, it became clear that archaeologists wanted to come out from behind the developer fence and share ? and only by gaining further support of the public, one already has a high currency thanks to programmes such as the Time Team, will archaeology ride out this recession. Currently there are several projects that are combining development with public access, and also pure community archaeology, where they local people decide what they want ? and professional archaeologists provide the support.

Things are changing, and we, as archaeologists have to adapt, as we did in the 1990s. Perhaps it is time to return to those values with a dash of realism of circumstances thrown in. On my website I have noticed an increase in outreach and education posts, and perhaps this heralds the understanding of many contractors and organisations that although the future may not be bright at the moment, the future has to include the public more than it does currently, and we cannot afford the loss of skilled field staff that is already happening.

A small but vital sector in the UK, that has so much to offer, cannot be a victim of the credit crunch, but also has to look hard at itself to move forward.


"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."
Niccolo Machiavelli