Government support for archaeologists

[deadlylampshade]

At the very least it is a comfort to know it is being discussed and there is some one (ie Lord Howarth) who is willing to put the case and is therefore an ideal candidate for lobbying.

But who is going to lead the lobby?

[BAJR]

WEll, it may be that that hand grenade of a question is just the start. Who knows, we could be that lobby. If we clarify our position, rationalise the positive and reasonable options open to us, then we may just be listened to and for once --- be taken seriously. Remember, that in the world of politics, arcaheology is up against some very grown up and experienced hard hitters who either have no interest in what we do, or actively wish to see it curbed. perhaps its time we took a step forward and becaome big boys and girls, discussing this in a way that we are listened to. Goverment is all about debate, and putting forward ideas and commanding views, so, how about it ... we talk enough as it is, our job is about creating coherent argument as to the meaning of the unknowable, so this should be a dawdle?

[deadlylampshade]

Er...think you mean DODDLE! If we dawdle we'll end up ignored. (Again):face-thinks:

I merely pose the question to see if the contributors to the Archaeologists Against the Cuts thread can act for the common good. Now is the ideal time to form a strategy for the future...

I'm in...:face-approve:

PS...see...not just a social hand grenade after all, eh, chaps?}

[BAJR]

Damn! I knew I should not trust spell check!
And you are right... now is the time to form a strategy, communicate it and act

damn right

[deadlylampshade]

So it's just you and me then, Hosty, by the looks of it...??!

[BAJR]

You an me against the world..! but hey, its like half the A team! or the a-Team as we now are.

The importance of making these ideas comprehensible to the government is imperative. If you think about it, there is no other place that can allow this opportunity. Yes there other bodies who lobby government, the CBA for example(1), but to be fair, they have no real commercial archaeology background, and so base representation on theory, rather than real experience. This is important when it comes to representing a group. To be honest and accurate, one must have the voices of those who normally become a statistic. I always remember with a not so wry chuckle the First Profiling the profession that claimed archaeological wages were on average over 17,000 per year. The realith as we know was far from it.

So here we are... fired up, rag tag and wanting to be heard. but it is mighty quiet... Speak up people you are the people that need the representation, you are the people that Lord Howarth asked about in parliament... you are the people who may lose out. Are you unionised? are you so beaten down? are you thinking, I wish I had done accountancy after all? Do you no longer feel skilled or motivated? What do you want... and why... what makes us worth fighting for? your chance... your opportunity.


(1) Making Archaeology Matter http://www.britarch.ac.uk/supportus/makeitmatter
As we all know, now is a time of economic upheaval:

• Developer-funded archaeology is under extreme pressure with thousands of archaeologists facing the prospect of losing their jobs and then leaving archaeology altogether.
  
• Heritage protection has been pushed down the list of priorities for national and local government as they struggle to slow the economic downturn with ever-dwindling budgets.
  

Now more than ever the development of a strong, knowledgeable and skilled community of archaeological champions and enthusiasts is vital for the continued development and protection of archaeology. Without dedicated and passionate individuals, the recording and investigation of archaeology could become neglected with vital, irreplaceable, information being lost forever. We must also ensure that heritage does not slip from the public funding agenda in a tough economic climate.
The rise of community archaeology over the last decade has been very positive, and with the formation of many new local groups, the need to support these, and other individuals with a desire to learn and undertake archaeology, is more important than ever. This is where the Development Campaign is important.
Through the campaign we aim to raise funds to undertake a number of projects to increase knowledge and skills across the UK so that enthusiasm can be turned to long-term, sustainable skills and knowledge. There is a lack of UK-wide opportunities to learn and we aim to champion the right of passionate individuals to access archaeological education and information whilst providing them with the skills they need to take part in the discovery and protection of the historic environment.
Without grants from organisations and support from individuals the campaign cannot fulfil its potential.


This is where we need your help! Please take a look through these “Support Us” pages and see if you can help us raise money now or in the future to support the work of the campaign. There are many ways you can do this, and some will not cost you any additional money.
Help us continue to develop and support a thriving community of individuals and organisations from all walks of life and of all ages who are passionate about archaeology! The archaeology of your local area will benefit from the Campaign.

[Archaeogit]

I naively thought the government's e-petition might be a place to start http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/
Trouble is our democratically elected representatives have suspended the page because of some review. You could be forgiven for thinking they don't want to hear from us

[Dinosaur]

So it's just you and me then, Hosty, by the looks of it...??!

Exactly which cuts are you complaining about? I'm anti most of them but I'm pro some education cutting, this country would be billions better off if they stopped pointlessly churning out graduates - why give half the population a degree when only 10% or less (probably a lot less) of the total jobs market involves any sort of degree-level skills/knowledge? - archaeology as has been discussed on other threads is a good example, an archaeology degree is in no way an asset for being a digger, so why are we being expected only to employ graduates?

.....not wishing to kick the crutches from under this noble enterprise but it will need a lot of clarification before everyone who posts on here will give it their wholehearted support (possibly excepting Unit?). Good plan in principle though :face-approve:

[BAJR]

I guess there is nothing per ce to give support to, it a call for the grumbles (we all do) are turned into a more coherent and structured concept. So your post is in fact as useful as any others, the idea is to actually say them, to actually talk about them in a way where goverment may or should take note. Democracy does not have to mean agreeing with me and visa versa, but it does mean speaking up.

I can agree that churning out archaeology graduates is not of much use to field archaeology (though trained osteologists, lithic specialists, isotope analysts environmental archaeologists etc is) So do we have to understand what we need, in what numbers? The Profiling the Profession may indeed be useful for this. What do we need? and how do we achieve it. I would rather see competent field archaeologists without degrees.. and how would that work? How is it financed and where does it fit into the new PPS 5 system?

[kevin wooldridge]

Regarding the degree thing....in these times of desperate shortage of archaeological vacancies, UK archaeologists could be excused for looking beyond the UK borders in trying to secure employment.....in which case you might find that having a degree is a useful first foot on the ladder....at least if you want your application letter to be given serious consideration....but having said that I don't necessarily disgaree with Dinosuar and David regarding the 'value' of a degree versus professional experience