Practising Archaeology | Vol. 1
This lunchtime webinar will serve as an introduction to career pathways in Archaeology and Archaeological Science. The event will consist of the presentations of four experts in the fields of heritage, historic environment, commercial archaeology, and forensic archaeology. The aim is to inspire participants to think creatively about their future careers, to help them develop the necessary skillset and provide guidance for the next steps by signposting various resources available within and beyond the University of Oxford. The presentations will be followed by Q&As and participants are warmly invited to participate in the discussion. Even though the event has been designed with the archaeologists and archaeological scientists in mind, any student of the university with an interest in material and visual culture is welcome to attend.
This webinar is organized by the School of Archaeology in partnership with the TORCH Heritage Programme and the Oxford University Heritage Network (OUHN); with the support of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA).
>>>>>>>> Download the interactive poster of the event here.
>>>>>>>> Save the date by downloading the iCalendar (.ics) file for Outlook here.
>>>>>>>> For further information and to register contact Katerina Vavaliou (TORCH Heritage Programme Support Officer).
>>>>>>>> Find similar opportunities through Heritage Pathway.
Introducing the speakers:
Dr Oliver Cox (Heritage Engagement Fellow, University of Oxford)
Exploring Careers Beyond Academia: Support and Opportunities within Oxford
''In my roles as Heritage Engagement Fellow and Co-Lead of the Oxford University Heritage Network, I have built a hybrid career spanning academia and the arts and heritage sector. I will host this event and introduce you to the range of skills-development opportunities that are currently available in Oxford. My presentation will focus on the various ways in which my team can support you in exploring careers outside of academia, while still enrolled in the university. Drawing from my experience as a consultant for a range of organisations including the Chatsworth House Trust, the National Trust and the Palace of Westminster, I will take you through ways for building a consultancy profile and positioning your academic expertise in a way that is marketable and accessible to different sectors.''
Kate Geary MCIfA (Head of Professional Development and Practice, CIfA)
Becoming Professional – Your Career, Your Future
''CIfA is the leading professional body representing archaeologists working in the UK and overseas, with the vast majority employed in conserving, managing and understanding the historic environment. Starting with a brief description of our role and purpose, I will explain the various ways in which our work can facilitate your professional journey, especially in the early stages of your career. My presentation will serve as an introduction to career options and expectations in archaeology and will signpost some of the resources that are available to help early-career professionals plan their next steps. Above all, I am looking forward to answering your questions and discussing the current opportunities and challenges within the sector.''
Dr Jacek Gruszczynski MCIfA (Freelance Commercial Archaeologist and Heritage Consultant; Senior Archaeologist, PCA Heritage)
Light at the End of a Tunnel?
''Whilst enrolled in a research degree, most of us are so consumed by our research and the pursuit of the those letters after our name, that we struggle to conceive of - not to mention work towards - a career beyond academia. Drawing on my experience as a field archaeologist-turned-academic-turned-heritage consultant, I will present an unashamedly subjective take on the skills (transferrable, not-so-transferrable and outright new) that academia can (and a few that it cannot) equip you with for the life in a shade-darker world of commercial archaeology.''
Dr Karl Harrison MCIfA (Director and Lead Forensic Ecologist, Alecto Forensics; Reader in Forensic Sciences, Cranfield University; Visiting Professor, University of West London; Honorary Senior Lecturer, Cardiff University; Visiting Research Fellow, Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, University of Oxford)
Can you build an archaeological career without a five-year plan?
"Not all archaeologists enter the job market with a clear idea of the range of the field or the different ways they can market themselves. Whether you have a five-year plan or not, flexibility, adaptability, and creativity will help you to seize opportunities leading to often unexpected career pathways. Drawing upon my experience, I will reflect on the sorts of transferrable skills research archaeologists acquire and how these can be applied to a career in a forensic environment. In addition to securing an entry-level salaried post in forensic science, I will discuss more broadly the opportunities and challenges that come with building a consultancy profile based on a specialist portfolio."
Oxford University Heritage Network
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists
