AGM 2022
Our AGM is taking place on the 14 March from 7pm to 8:30pm. Please join us as we go over this years actions and lay out our plans for the next. We are also honoured that we will be joined by postgraduate researcher Olivia Britter, from the University of Southampton, who will discuss her current work with us.
You can register your place here: https://www.archaeologists.net/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=392
We have some roles on the committee up for nomination this year. The roles are:
- Honorary Treasurer
- Three committee members.
If you would like to stand for nomination please return this form to Megan via groups [at] archaeologists.net by 27 February.
Your Profession, Your Future, Your Voice
This is the Group for anyone in the early stages of their career in archaeology, or for those who want to share their skills and experience with early career professionals. Are you excited (or worried!) about the journey ahead? Do you want a voice in shaping the profession? Then this is the Group for you!
Background
The Early Careers Special Interest Group was founded as the New Generation Special Interest Group in 2012 following a series of discussions and debates by a group of Practitioner (PCIfA) grade members at the 2012 CIfA conference in Oxford. It became clear that there were many people within the Institute, in the early stages of their careers in archaeology, who wanted to be more involved with the Institute and play a greater role within the sector as a whole.
For several years, the name of the group was felt to be confusing and not representative of the scope of the group’s ambitions. After consultation, the name was changed to ‘Early Careers’ in 2020.
The Early Careers Special Interest Group (SIG) is for archaeologists in the early stages of their own career pathways to come together to support one another, share their experiences and amplify their own voices. Together, with the group’s committee, the group will work to ensure that our members are represented at Advisory Council and that the needs and concerns of early career members are heard. We also hope to provide a platform to share information and opportunities that will support early career professionals, students and those contemplating a career in archaeology and associated fields.
Who does the group represent and who can join?
The Early Careers Group aims to support those interested in a career in archaeology and those archaeologists in the early stages of their career working in all aspects of the sector. Everyone is welcome to join the group but it is specifically relevant to those interested in a career in archaeology and those archaeologists in the early stages of their career working.
Aims
The aims of the group are:
- Explore, research and offer practical support and advice on pathways into the profession and career development; including encouraging mentoring.
- Highlight and showcase the contribution of early career archaeologists to the sector both in the present and in the future, online and at sector gatherings such as conferences, especially in providing show cases for group members.
- Increase the role and representation of early career archaeologists within CIfA.
- Engage and collaborate with other CIfA groups and with relevant outside agencies, such as Historic England and Council for British Archaeology.
How to join the Group
Membership of the Early Careers Group is free to CIfA members and student members are automatically enrolled. CIfA members can join the group by entering the members area and updating their individual information.
If you are not a member of CIfA but would like to join us, you can register here. Subscription is £10 annually.
Twitter: follow Early Careers Group on Twitter! @CIfA_EC is the current handle.
Facebook: join the Facebook group
Email: Get in touch with the committee via our email groups [at] archaeologists.net
Instagram: search for the group by the handle @cifa_ec.
Committee
Megan Schlanker (Chair)
Tabitha Lawrence (Secretary)
Joanne Kirton (Treasurer)
Phil Pollard
Claire Corkill
Michael D'Aprix
Sakshi Surana
Jessica Elleray
Group constitution
You can view our constitution here (PDF)..
Three-year plan
We are working on the group's upcoming three-year plan.
Forthcoming events
For information about upcoming events, please visit our event calendar. You can also look up training at our professional development pages in the Careers section.
Useful Resources
- 10 things Diggers wished New Starters Knew... A factsheet in collaboration with Diggers Forum
- How to become an Archaeological specialist: Geoarchaeology with Dave Norcott (from Wessex Archaeology) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYKvY-AchJU
- How to become an Archaeological specialist: Environmental processing with Rebecca Nicholson (from Oxford Archaeology) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPkwbrsoJ3E
- Careers in Archaeobotany- the study of seeds, chaff and other macroscopic plant remains- with Ruth Pelling (from Historic England) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7cK-CId74s
- Careers in specialisation with Mike Allen (from Bournemouth University) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roFViRC7sEs
- One does not simply... become a finds specialist with Kayt Hawkins (from Surrey County Archaeological Unit) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o48lZIzQlt4&list=PLBjeGwwG0rtSRwTJ7gNRGU...
