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kevin wooldridge Wrote:The Head of Designation for EH has a long and distinguished career as an architectural historian......
At least he is from a related profession.
And I know some will eventually point this out. No, I am not saying only archaeologists or those in related professions can do a good job in the heritage sector. Plenty of people do great jobs in professions they did not train for. Though I think it does help if you have some sort of background in the field you work in.
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...but English Heritage is not just about archaeology. Designation is not just about archaeology either...I don't see that this guy is any less qualified for his job than any of the myriad of professionals working for EH. Or am I missing something here?
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...
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5th May 2012, 02:41 PM
(This post was last modified: 5th May 2012, 11:57 PM by Doug.)
kevin wooldridge Wrote:...but English Heritage is not just about archaeology. Designation is not just about archaeology either...I don't see that this guy is any less qualified for his job than any of the myriad of professionals working for EH. Or am I missing something here?
Nope, I think were on the same page. Some of the top jobs go to people with experience in the field. With large organizations that can mean a very diverse range of people. For example I would hope EH accounts was run by someone with an accounting degree. EH survey division is run my a surveyor, etc. In the case of designation there are quite a few people who could undertake such a position as it is not just about archaeology.
Though when you look at the very top of some organizations you get some odd choices e.g. most ministers, either Scotland, England, etc. or even other countries equivalents secretary of the interior in the US etc. you kind of do a double look like and how/why is this person in charge? At times you see these in the lower levels as well. Nothing against these people, plenty of them do great jobs and plenty of people with the right background do horrible piss poor jobs.
My observation is that as the higher up you go in many of the large heritage bodies the less likely you will be to find archaeologists who have worked as a digger. Some of this has to do with the nature of the job, broader remit and different demands the higher up you go, but I think some of it has to do with other reasons outside of experience. Personal observation after tracking jobs in archaeology and heritage for the last few years, nothing more.
Edit- I should also say that this is not an archaeology or heritage sector specific event. In lots of different disciplines you find fewer people at the top who never worked at the bottom. Just a way of life
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I would step in here for Doug and also say that an architectural historian is not going to have the same in depth understanding as an archaeologist --- and visa versa. HEad of EH should be a person who is good at management, pr and getting the best out of people. what worries me is that the once separate but related archaeology/architecture/landscape and parks are now amalgamated into "Heritage" and with it, the jobs.
I remember when the archaeologists at Historic SCotland used to carry out projects. actual projects as Historic SCotland. but now....
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For nice Sunday afternoon reading more details on the project manager postion-
http://dougsarchaeology.wordpress.com/20...er-and-up/
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I'm faintly concerned that the archaeology side of EH seems to no longer have period specialists....bit of a waste of a valuable resource if nationally respected experts can't actually do their specialism?
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What is your evidence that EH no longer has period specialists? I know that the core team has been reduced, but those that are left seem pretty competent to me and cover all the periods for which EH has archaeological responsibilities....or have I misunderstood your point?
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...
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kevin wooldridge Wrote:What is your evidence that EH no longer has period specialists? I know that the core team has been reduced, but those that are left seem pretty competent to me and cover all the periods for which EH has archaeological responsibilities....or have I misunderstood your point?
'swat I've been told (came up as a project-related issue), they're now area rather than period - if anyone has better info please feel free to correct this since I've only had it 3rd hand (although the person I got it from had had it direct from a fairly senior source in EH)
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