AIA-6J: Excavating Excavation: Uncovering Accessibility from Fieldschool to Field Director (Workshop)

Sponsored by:

AIA Student Affairs Interest Group (SAIG)

Organizers

Tina (TBP) Bekkali-Poio, University at Buffalo (SUNY); Amanda Cates Ball, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Elisabeth Woldeyohannes, University at Buffalo (SUNY); and Mekayla May, University of Maryland

Panelists

Katelin McCullough, Hollins University; Edoardo Vanni, Università per Stranieri di Siena; Andrew Ward, Emory University; and Jonathon White, University at Buffalo

Description

Field experience is an expectation of all students of archaeology, and learning to conduct research and manage field projects is integral to advancing in the field. However, gaining experience and advancing on teams can be challenging when opportunities are less accessible. How can aspiring archaeologists identify responsible, educational projects as well as find the resources to participate in those projects? How can students from underrepresented backgrounds break into the field? How do early career researchers elevate their own positions onsite or begin their own projects? What research opportunities lie outside of the realm of traditional fieldwork? To answer these questions, this workshop will host a diverse panel of professional archaeologists from various fields and experience levels to discuss and illuminate student and early career scholars’ opportunities. This three-hour workshop will focus on empowering attendees to overcome challenges in conducting fieldwork that are faced by students and professionals alike.

During this forum-format workshop, panelists will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and answer key questions posed by the moderators regarding the world of excavation, from gaining excavation experience to building an excavation-based research project. Topics will include finding projects relevant to professional growth, alternative pathways to traditional fieldwork, accessing funding, crafting and managing projects, and how to conduct accessible research. Afterward, the audience can garner insight from the panelists and fill any unintended gaps. Ultimately, this workshop aims to provide valuable resources for students of archaeology and contribute to the growing conversation about the creation of a more accessible and inclusive field. We hope to foster a positive environment where archaeologists, from undergraduates to established professionals, can have an open dialogue and share invaluable perspectives, which are crucial for anyone with a stake in making archaeological projects more inclusive and beneficial.