#WorkspaceWednesday . I'm on mat leave but there are some things that are important enough to be done outside working hours, so here we are (with this adorable card from Two Bad Mice) . Some of you might already be aware of the decision made by Sheffield University to close its archaeology department. This follows a proposal back in May as a reaction to government cuts in funding (see @savesheffieldarchaeology and #Dig4Arch by @archaeoduck for more info). This department is one of the leading archaeological institutions in the world. Not only does it provide excellent training for those looking for a career in commercial fieldwork, but the expertise and resources it provides for academic research are among the best. If the university and government think that this renowned department should be shut down, what is the future of smaller archaeological institutions? . This is not just a problem in the UK. In many different countries, funding for research and teaching in "non-essential" subjects (including archeology...) is being cut. The value and relevance of archaeology in modern society is being overlooked, and this is likely because non-archaeologists have no idea what exactly it is that we do. To them, we're dinosaur-loving Indiana Jones wannabes who dig holes for a living. So it is really surprising that, when cutting out deadwood, we're the first to go? . How to combat this? Simple: share what you do with the general public! For example, today I am working on a blog post about microwear for the community page of the wonderful @ashwoodcandles and compiling notes to create blog posts in English for the German-based ZKNE (centre for cultural heritage in sustainable development) - an excellent example of applying archaeological knowledge to modern issues. . Only by highlighting the relevance of archaeological research through approachable platforms can we prevent further cuts, and the deterioration of a valuable sector of modern society. . #twobadmice #savesheffieldarchaeology #scicomm #Archaeology #archaeologist #academicsofinstagram #theleveragedphd #archaeologylife #phd #phdlife #outreach #blogging https://www.instagram.com/p/CRT646Prnxp/?utm_medium=tumblr
