In light of current discussions in the University of Oxford about how academics can foster innovation and contribute to policy-making, our third Practising Archaeology seminar aims to start a conversation about novel ways of delivering public benefit through archaeology.
This event will take place both in-person, at the Seminar Room of the School of Archaeology (1 South Parks Road), and online.
Ian Milsted, Head of Community Engagement at York Archaeology will present Archaeology on Prescription, an award-winning social prescribing project that seeks to improve people’s health and wellbeing, foster new social connections and improve confidence through the building of new skills and knowledge.
Vicky Haverkate, Head of Formal Education at Waterloo Uncovered will present the vision behind their veteran support programmes that include a Finds Programme, Battlefields Uncovered, and their flagship Excavation Programme on the battlefield of Waterloo. They will reflect on how practising archaeology can support the five pillars of Recovery, Wellbeing, Transition into Civilian Life, Education and Employment.
Jessica Simkiss, Public Policy Officer at the Oxford Policy Engagement Network will introduce the audience into their programme of activities, funding opportunities, and training offer. She will encourage them to think about how their research can contribute to policy-making and explore opportunities of further engagement with policy partners.
We would encourage all attendees to reflect on the skills archaeologists need to develop to design and run impactful community engagement projects, the special challenges faced by projects that sit in-between and beyond commercial and academic archaeology, and the partnerships required to develop and sustain them. How can looking beyond academia benefit one’s own research?
Even though the seminar has been designed with archaeologists and archaeological scientists in mind, any member of the university with an interest in this discussion is welcome to attend.
This event is organised by Archaeology Partnerships, an ASPECT Innovation Fellowship of the School of Archaeology, in collaboration with the Heritage Partnerships Team and the Oxford University Heritage Network (OUHN). It was made possible with the support of the University of Oxford’s ASPECT Innovation Fellowship Programme and ESRC Impact Acceleration Account.
You can find out more about our first session at www.torch.ox.ac.uk/article/practising-archaeology
and our second session at www.torch.ox.ac.uk/event/practising-archaeology-vol.-2.
