The Council for British Archaeology invites your views.
The CBA has decided to carry out a short examination of the current extent of public participation in British archaeology. This builds on the 'stakeholder participation' study to which many CBA organisational member groups so helpfully contributed last year. The new study is prompted by a perception that although there is enormous public interest in archaeology in all its forms - and a great deal going on, the full potential of the enthusiasm which has been generated for the subject is not being utilised and there is some disenchantment. You are invited to contribute to this study.
The intent is to produce, by mid 2003, a brief summary of the results of the survey for general information, with suggestions for improvements where these are found to be necessary. The results of the whole, including all the submitted comment, will be published on the CBA's website at www.britarch.ac.uk/participation .
Kindly note that although it is anticipated that some organisations and individuals may wish to submit comments specifically on the subject of excavation archaeology, observations will be welcomed on public participation in all aspects of the historic environment.
How you can help
There is no complex form to complete and comments of all kind are welcome, however we would be grateful if they could be supplied under the following four headings:
1. Please provide examples of good practice in public participation in archaeology. These may be things you have initiated yourself or be things initiated by others which you recommend. If available, it would be helpful if you could provide references to any documentation, or e.g. any web addresses. Please do not send paper copies at this stage.
2. What do you consider are the principal barriers to increasing public participation in archaeology in all its forms?
3. Suggest realistic ways of reducing these barriers
4. Are there any related issues you would wish the working party to address or other observations you would like to make?
Would you kindly supply four blocks of text in the order given above. It is suggested that the equivalent of one side of A4 may be sufficient (about 600 words) in total, which will make the end product manageable.
Please supply your response either in hard copy (ideally with an enclosed disk and Word or RTF format file) to the address above, or by email to [log in to unmask] Alternatively you can submit the text using our online form at www.britarch.ac.uk/participation/form.html. Please commence with an opening comment as to whether you are responding as an individual or on behalf of an organisation.
You will understand that your response has the potential to be read by a wide audience so please do not include anything which may be perceived as libellous. However, only in extreme circumstances do we reserve the right to edit the copy.
We hope that you will regard this as an interesting and not too onerous exercise and look forward to hearing from you. Please submit your comments by 31st December 2002.
Best wishes,
Don Henson
Education Officer
Council for British Archaeology
111 Walmgate
York
YO1 9WA
tel 01904 671417
fax 01904 671384
web www.britarch.ac.uk
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