In November 2021, the Board of Directors appointed member volunteers to the newly established Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) committee.
The purpose of the EDI committee is to support the Board of Directors in delivering its strategy for equality, diversity and inclusion. You can find out more about this on your equality, diversity and inclusion webpages.
The committee has got off to a flying start and already met online three times. We have been focusing on identifying the top priority areas for the Board’s strategy including areas for training and resources; there is a huge amount to do and its is important that we can provide a focus.
Below are some short introductory bios for Lu, Nicola, Catherine, Penelope and Sarahjayne.
Lu Stanton-Greenwood BA MA (she/her)
I am a student of Archaeology with the University of Leicester, and an alumna of Nottingham Trent University. I currently work in the third sector as a data modeller, with the intent of changing career direction into archaeology when my degree is complete.
I am an administrator for British Archaeological Jobs and Resources, co-founder of InterSectional Archaeology, a member of the Dig For Archaeology team and can be found volunteering in Wales and Scotland.
Nicola Powell BA, MA, MCIfA (she/her)
As well as working for The Open University where I'm responsible for the training and wellbeing of student volunteers, I run an archaeological consultancy where I supply registered finds, training, research and project management services to units working on infrastructure projects.
In my day-to-day role with the Students Association, I sit on our EDI Working Group where I instigated a successful volunteer EDI conference with student and external speakers. This has led to our popular Student Insights programme of events that draw on lived experience to educate and encourage an equitable and inclusive culture amongst the diverse population of OU students and student volunteers.
In my spare time I sit as a Director, Trustee and member of the Theatre Board at The Stables, Wavendon, bringing volunteer training experience.
Catherine M. Draycott, BFA, MPhil, DPhil
I am an associate professor in the Department of Archaeology at Durham University, where I lecture on material and visual regionalism, and diverse identities of the ancient Mediterranean and Anatolia. I currently serve as chair of the departmental EDI Committee and Athena SWAN self-assessment team, and as the departmental Disability Representative. I have conducted research and outreach work on racial disparity in archaeology, and am hoping to make an impact on the demographics of archaeology through the CIfA EDI Committee.
Dr Penelope Foreman BSc PGCE PhD PCIfA (she/they)
I am the head of community archaeology and engagement at the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust, based in mid Wales. I work with communities to co-produce archaeology and heritage projects, develop accessible and engaging volunteer opportunities, and create resources for schools and other educational institutions to make archaeology engaging, relevant, inclusive, and fun.
I sit on the CIfA Board of Directors, and act as the Board Champion for the CIfA Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standing Committee. I am also the LGBT officer and Wales rep for the Prospect Union Archaeology Branch. I am chair of the Offa's Dyke Association and a trustee for the National Coal Mining Museum for England. I split my time between Wales and Yorkshire, and work with volunteer and grassroots organisations on heritage engagement and tackling inequality of access in both regions.
Sarahjayne Clements BA MA ACIfA Doctoral Candidate
I finished a BA in Ancient History and Egyptology in 2010 and a Masters in Archaeology in 2011. I have always undertaken a lot of voluntary work, work experience and CPD (continual professional development). I got a trainee community archaeology placement with RCAHMW in 2013 which was sponsored by the Council for British Archaeology, and I have remained in the sector since, doing a variety of different roles including commercial archaeology and working for PAS (Portable Antiquities Scheme). I am an Associate level member of CIfA.
I currently work for a Local Authority as a Community Heritage Officer. Currently I cannot work full time due to disability and as higher-level positions are often full-time, having to work fewer hours can slow career progression. Unfortunately, this is the reason I had to leave archaeology and diversify into the wider heritage sector on a short-term contract.
My role offers flexitime working and working from home where possible which is a great benefit to me, when managing my conditions. The team of people I work with are also very supportive. My job is so varied, and involves many different tasks from organising events, to managing a grant scheme, from training to managing social media and everything in between! I love it.
Skills such as attention to detail, good time management, organisation, and good communication skills as well as the ability to move between different tasks are beneficial. Good I.T skills are also beneficial for this role.
I am also the Communications and Networking Officer for the Enabled Archaeology Foundation which not only involves running the Twitter account and website but also things like training, looking for networking opportunities and finding and creating content. I am on the CIfA committee for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (E, D & I) as well as the Advisory Council. These roles involve giving advice on E, D & I issues and making and suggesting changes. I am studying part time for a Doctorate at the University of Hertfordshire where I am researching disability inclusion with a focus on the workplace and chronic illness. I am also an assistant leader of the online YAC in Wales (Young Archaeologists Club).
You can find out more in this article from The Archaeologist ‘Archaeology and M.E. chronic illness in the workplace’.
Twitter: @SarahjayneC88
