Background
This group provides a direct response to the labour market survey data for archaeology from the last two decades, which demonstrates that the workforce in British archaeology is predominantly white, able-bodied and has notably less women over the age of 40, translating to a lack of women in senior roles. None of these trends correspond with national statistics, in turn suggesting a fundamental need for the profession to address these inequalities. Therefore the group’s core function is to work with and support CIfA individual members and Registered Organisations to challenge the lack of equality and diversity in the profession. It undertakes this by supporting research to continually assess barriers to equality and diversity within the profession, and by researching, supporting and developing best practice strategies for challenging the inequalities in gender, ethnicity, sexuality and disability that currently exist. Forming partnerships with equality and diversity officers in other key professional bodies and interest groups is also fundamental to the work of this group.
Join the Group
The Equality and Diversity Group is open to all members of the CIfA, and we also encourage non-members and students to join us as well. We already have members from many areas of the heritage industry, different specialisms and a spectrum of interests. We hope that the issues we cover are something which all people within the heritage industry can relate to and have a vested interest in improving for all.
We value the views and knowledge that all our members bring to the group and hope to involve all our members actively in our group.
Please do join us! Membership is free to CIfA members. Non-members need to pay an annual £10 fee or e-mail: groups@archaeologists.net
To formally join the group please email groups@archaeologists.net. You can stay up to date with what the group does via our social media platforms.
Twitter: follow us @CIfA_Equality
Facebook: Like our page on Facebook
LinkedIn: N/A
Instagram: N/A
Blog: Find out more about the group by visiting their Blog
Group Email: N/A
Committee
Hannah Cobb (Chair)
Jim Brightman (Treasurer)
Joe Flatman (Secretary)
Penny Foreman
Alex Grassam
Sadie Watson
Chloe Duckworth
Catherine Rees
Kevin Wooldridge
Lisa Monkton (Advisor)
Equality and diversity in archaeology
CIfA's Board of Directors has agreed to embark on a comprehensive strategy that will have the greatest impact for the profession and strongly recognises the important roles of organisations representing employers, employees and those in education. CIfA is working with the Industry Group (an existing collaboration between FAME, Prospect and CIfA) to jointly develop a pan-sectoral strategy on equality and diversity in archaeology. This would be owned by all three organisations and would commit each to jointly working on specific actions. Please see further information here.
Current activities and research
The Equality and Diversity Group have written a 'ten steps to diversifying your workplace', which you can view here.
We are also working on some guidelines for accessibility in print and web formats, which we hope to share soon.
Forthcoming events
For information about upcoming events, please visit our event calendar.
Previous events
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The 2020 AGM was held at Prospect Union's Offices in London, on 13 March. the Event, Inspiring Equality: visions of the future heritage practice, held a workshop on decolonisation and what it meant in practice for delegates and their workplace and experiences. Minutes to follow.
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The 2018 AGM was held at Historic England's London offices in, Cannon Bridge House, London, on 5 March. AGM Agenda March 2018 AGM Treasurer report March 2018**
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The 2017 AGM was held at at the Hive Worcester on 7 March. The Voluntary and Community Archaeology group also held their AGM there and after lunch members of both groups attended a Mental Health Aid CPD workshop facilitated by training providers approved by Mental First Aid England.
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Equality & Diversity at the CIfA Conference - Friday 22 April 2016 at the CIfA Conference there was an all day session run by the Equality & Diversity Group
Equality and Diversity in an Archaeological Context
Britain has a diverse population which means the archaeology sector does too. Issues surrounding gender, disability, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and ethnicity are rarely examined as part of the archaeological workforce. The new CIfA Equality and Diversity Group has been set up to support archaeologists and employers understand these issues, and promote equality. It has been nearly 5 years since the Equality Act (2010) came into force replacing a host of earlier legislation; Sex Discrimination Act (1975), Race Relations Act (1976) and Disability Discrimination Act (1995). With this in mind, this workshop will explore this further and look at ways the group can work for you and a more diverse workforce.
Committee minutes
To follow.
AGM minutes
AGM 2019 Minutes
AGM 2018 Minutes
AGM 2017 Minutes
