Research in practice
Research is at the core of all investigation: excavations as part of the planning process, historic building recording for private houses, community projects engaging a diverse audience or a million pound initiatives funded by research councils. Whoever is footing the bill, each time an archaeologist begins a new project the research design should outline how that investigation aims to answer specific questions, produce new knowledge or challenge old ideas. The pursuit of knowledge is central to our work – isn’t it?
Our 2014 conference aims to examine the concept of research across current archaeological practice, as well as highlighting how archaeologists contribute new knowledge to a wider understanding of the human past. The conference hopes to question how research practice has developed and to face the challenges often posed to heritage professionals regarding value, quality, dissemination and accessibility. Why should all archaeological projects ensure the knowledge they create is accessible? How can academic research influence policy and practice? What can employers do to engage all their staff in best practice and guarantee the highest quality research? Why should developers and clients pay for archaeological research? What is the role of communities in setting our research agenda?
Finally, we hope our 2014 conference in Glasgow will give us all a chance to sit back and relax, while we enjoy new discoveries, experience new techniques and explore archaeological research at its very best.
The 2014 conference will be sponsored by Historic Scotland and Towergate Insurance; if your organisation is interested in sponsoring any of our sessions and excursions, providing a display in our exhibition hall or advertising in our conference programme, please have a look at the sponsorship pages.
