CIfA works proactively to build networks and establish trust with politicians, civil servants, sector bodies and key bodies beyond the sector. We then work with these networks when archaeology faces threats or opportunities, for instance, on reform of legislation or policy that affects planning, the environment, or education and skills.
CIfA has a remit that enables us to represent all aspects of archaeological practice. To do this effectively we draw on the expertise of our professional membership and work with our Registered Organisations, as well as sharing and collaborating with other organisations that serve more specific interests in the sector.
CIfA’s Board sets the Institute’s advocacy objectives following guidance from the Advisory Council. There is potentially far more work than the Institute can expect to achieve, so we prioritise pragmatic activity on those areas or issues which present the greatest threat or opportunity, often according to initiatives and other timetables outside our control. Advocacy work may be undertaken independently or in collaboration with other bodies.
CIfA’s Advisory Council and Board have set the Institute’s advocacy objectives for 2024-25. These broad objectives allow CIfA staff to take forward work which supports these priorities on an opportunistic basis, reacting to the fast-paced world of politics.
A UK-wide focus
CIfA’s advocacy work is predominantly focused within England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, because that’s where most of our members’ and staff’s expertise lies. As CIfA’s non-UK membership grows, its non-UK advocacy is expected to grow proportionately, and we hope that CIfA Deutschland and CIfA Australia will advise the Board on German and Australian objectives when they have the resources to do so.
Issues & Objectives
Our principal objectives are
- to maintain or improve the protection and management of the historic environment
- to maintain or advance the quality of archaeological work, to make it better for everyone (particularly through planning or other processes that manage change to the historic environment)
Our advocacy objectives relate to relevant issues such as
- protecting and enhancing local authority services
- planning reform
- promoting the use of accredited professionals
- environmental management
- marine licensing and management
- infrastructure regulation
- immigration, skills, and training provision
CIfA’s objectives are purposefully broad to allow the Institute to react to legislative and policy opportunities.
Collaboration
CIfA is committed to working collaboratively with other organisations in archaeology, heritage, and allied sectors like construction and the natural environment. CIfA staff are active participants in a wide range of sector initiatives and participate in the sector’s discussion on advocacy at the highest level.
CIfA jointly (with the Council for British Archaeology) funds the Secretariat of the All-Party Parliamentary Archaeology Group (APPAG), a group of UK MPs and Peers with an interest in archaeology. The aim of APPAG is to further an understanding of archaeology in Parliament and to promote archaeology and archaeological education.
CIfA has an advocacy partnership with the Council for British Archaeology (CBA), supporting each other in all our advocacy work. CIfA tends to lead on legislation and policy work with governments and political audiences, and the CBA leads on public engagement and championing the public interest in archaeology. We see these two roles as being interdependent and vital to achieving successful advocacy outcomes.
We are a member of The Archaeology Forum (TAF), a grouping of independent bodies concerned with the archaeological investigation, management and interpretation of the UK's historic environment. We also work closely with Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS), Wales’ Historic Environment Group (HEG), and England’s Historic Environment Forum (HEF), Heritage Alliance's advocacy groups, and the Better Planning Coalition.