Questions for IFA Conference

[BAJR Host]

Just a thought for those that can't attend the IFA conference..

These are the sessions I wil be at..

If you have any questions you want me to ask on your behalf (and report back the answer) Then let me know.

VISIONS OF THE FUTURE: LIVE DEBATES ON BIG ISSUES IN THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT
14.00-17.30
Organiser: Peter Hinton, Institute of Field Archaeologists
In 2006 the conference included a session in response to the major structural and political shifts affecting
our approaches to the historic environment today. Our profession needs to discuss the strategic and longterm
implications of these changes and how they might affect the intellectual, philosophical and physical
framework in which we all work. Different constituencies have different insights: last year we convened a
panel of speakers from the national heritage bodies to address these issues from their personal
perspectives, and this year is the turn of the professional associations – which face some particular
challenges over the next few years if they are to fulfil their responsibilities and the expectations of their
memberships, government and its advisors. Flanking insights and predictions from the three major
historic environment institutes are a scene-setting paper from a Whitheall perspective and a consideration
of our future organisation from the lead advisory body to professional institutes.
Visions of the Future: using futures techniques to see how civil servants and heritage practitioners view
the challenges and opportunities of the next 15 years
Anne Locke (Anne’s MA thesis 'Future Past' for the Institute of Archaeology, UCL, drew on futures work
she was carrying out for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Title to be confirmed
Alastair McCapra, Chief Executive, Institute of Conservation
Scotch conservation tomorrow
Seán O’Reilly, Director, Institute of Historic Building Conservation
What happened in 2022, and why archaeologists should never attempt time travel without a proper risk
assessment
Peter Hinton, Chief Executive, IFA
Considering future directions for historic environment professionals
Christina Williams, Professional Associations Research Network


REGENERATION AND REFORM: TOWARDS A NEW AGENDA FOR BUILDINGS ARCHAEOLOGY
09.30 – 17.30
Organiser: Catherine Cavanagh, Victoria County History
The IFA’s been here for 25 years and buildings archaeology for even longer. However, it was not until
about 15 years ago that the profession really woke up to both the academic and commercial potential of
buildings analysis.
Are buildings archaeologists successfully influencing the sector and beyond?
This session will explore how the study of buildings can contribute to the future of archaeology and the
profession, in an ever more inclusive environment. We have the good fortune to study very tangible
remains, yet is our work accessible enough to the communities they belong to? How can we best influence
on the outcomes of planning and development? What is our contribution to regeneration?
By addressing these and other questions, perhaps we can map out a future for our subject and plan what
we, as buildings archaeologists (if the distinction is still valid) should be doing over the next 25 years.
Building conservation as a profession – finding solutions to 21st century issues
Dave Chetwyn, Planning Aid England (RTPI and Vice Chair IHBC)
Adding value to the conservation world: buildings archaeology and conservation plans
Heather Lindsay, Purcell Miller Tritton
Surveying the future
Stephen Bond, Tuffin Ferraby Taylor (RICS and College of Estate Management)
Reinventing communities through buildings
Mike Nevell, University of Manchester
Learning from the locals
Sylvia Wilson, Whitefield Conservation Action group
Buildings archaeology, authencity and restoration – a view from across the pond
Marilyn Palmer, John D Rockerfeller Jr Library
Discussion
Jason Wood (Discussant)
The session will be followed by the BAG AGM and tour(s) of the Reading area in the afternoon.



TRAINING: THE INVESTMENT IN OUR FUTURE
09.30 – 12.45
Organiser: Chris Clarke, IFA Digger’s Forum
Sponsored by:
Following the success of the session at the 2006 IFA Conference, the Diggers’ Forum is looking to continue
to raise awareness of issues and topics of direct relevance to those at the grass roots of archaeology.
This year’s session topic will be looking at training, an issue most are aware of, but few of us understand
the full potential it can hold. We all know that for those on temporary contracts, as well as for those
established within units, training opportunities are often few and far between or simply non-existent.
Units are often hesitant to spend money on staff training, where the work force is expected to have a high
turnover rate.
Such entrenched attitudes towards training among both employer and employee, leads to limited
advancement of current archaeological techniques. This is in addition to a steady rate of skills loss from
the industry. Ironically, this is in an industry that is permanently crying out for skilled labour.
So, where does the future of training lie within the industry? Whose responsibility is it to train the
workforce? Units, universities or individuals themselves? What rights does an individual have towards
training? Do employees know what is available? What type of training would be the most suitable? The
Diggers’ Forum session aims to provide answers, and raised questions, through a range of papers given by
those engaged directly in developing issues of training within the industry.
Session introduction
Chris Clarke, IFA Diggers’ Forum
Training for the future?
Kate Geary, Institute of Field Archaeologists
Preparing for the field: exploring alternative excavation practices to transform student training and
development
Hannah Cobb, University of Manchester and Phil Richardson, CFA Archaeology/University of Newcastle
Enhancing training and personal development opportunities for archaeologists: the work of the
Archaeology Training Forum
Dr Mike Heyworth, Archaeology Training Forum
Finds Group training sessions
Phil Mills, IFA Finds Group
The day of reckoning: what does the future hold for recruitment and training in archaeology?
Natalie Kershaw, Archpeople Recruitment
Accessible training: a Diggers’ Forum approach
Geoff Morley, Diggers’ Forum

ILLUSTRATORS AND SURVEYORS FORUM
14.00 – 16.00
Organiser: AAI&S
This is an informal session that will give illustrators and surveyors a chance to come together to discuss
issues that an IFA Special Interest Group could focus on. Everyone is welcome!
If you would like to discuss anything about this session in advance of the conference please contact
info@aais.org.uk

:face-huh: So... fire away...

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[BAJR Host]

Yer all very quiet... most worrying..

:face-huh:

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[Paul Belford]

Obviously everybody is very happy. Or they are coming to the conference and can ask their own questions. (?!)

When you are at the conference come and visit the Ironbridge Archaeology stand and join us in tea and/or beer (depending on the time of day).

Paul

[BAJR Host]

yer on!

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[trowelfodder]

Id be quite interested to know whether they feel that thier compliants procedure is adequate and whether they think that passing on the names of complainants to units serves to encourage people to make a stand. We still have 15 people unable to get references - and for many of them the dig in question was their first job. Is this normal practice or just further evidence that the ifa is run by unit managers for unit managers?

[BAJR Host]

Will do... though I note a recent independant evaluation by a layperson found the system perfect.

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[BAJR Host]

Just had the IFA yearbook drop on my doormap..

I think one question I will be asking is why Archpeople are in the useful addresses section along with just about everyone else in UK heritage .. but BAJR is missing.. zip ... nadda ... not a sausage.

Maybe I am just not useful enough :face-huh:

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[tom wilson]

Ask 'em about the violence inherent in the system.

What are the IFA doing to realign labour relations according to sound anarcho-syndicalist principals?

freeburmarangers.org

[Sith]

quote:Originally posted by tom wilson

Ask 'em about the violence inherent in the system.

What are the IFA doing to realign labour relations according to sound anarcho-syndicalist principals?

freeburmarangers.org

After all the years I spent trying to remodel it on my own anarcho-dandyist principles?

I feel the need, the need for TWEED!


D. Vader
Senior Consultant

Vader Maull & Palpatine
Archaeological Consultants

Your powers are weak, Curator

[1man1desk]

quote:Id be quite interested to know whether they feel that thier compliants procedure is adequate and whether they think that passing on the names of complainants to units serves to encourage people to make a stand.

The IFA have for some time had rules that enable them to take action on complaints without identifying the complainant.

1man1desk

to let, fully furnished