The UCL Institute of Archaeology is delighted to host the 41st annual Theoretical Archaeology Group Conference in December 2019. Founded in 1937, the Institute is one of the largest centres for world archaeology, archaeological sciences and heritage & museum studies in the UK, situated in the heart of the capital.
Venue: UCL Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AL
The world, workplace, and media are more interested in wellbeing than ever before. Little wonder when wellbeing is most simply defined as a state of being comfortable, healthy or happy. Which is something we should all agree belongs in a much-loved, people-friendly discipline like archaeology? But wellbeing is a term that is all to often met with caution and misunderstanding, that can be seen as an unfathomable and unrealistic ambition, when faced with the realities of bottom lines, deadlines, and working with people.
This panel session will explore a range of ways wellbeing can support archaeology (its projects and its people), including ways it already does. It will also look at ways archaeology can support the delivery of wellbeing to the world at large. It will encourage the audience to think about what wellbeing means to them, and what Is reasonably achievable within the realms of what they are already doing, and what hey want to achieve. It will also consider what shouldn’t be attempted, because even if we're going to provide improved wellbeing for all, it doesn’t mean everyone needs to be doing everything to achieve this, especially in the face off clear archaeological aims.
Organisers: Mark Evans, Chief Executive / Co-founder; Waterloo Uncovered
13:30 | Session organisers | Introduction
13:40 | Lisa Dunthorne, Counsellor / Occupational therapist, previously DMRC Headley Court | What is wellbeing? How archaeology and other such activities can positively affect wellbeing and wider mental health.
14:00 | Mark Evans, Chief Executive / Co-founder, Waterloo Uncovered | Waterloo Uncovered: An Archaeology project designed with wellbeing in mind.
14:20 | Cornelius Barton, Partner and Commercial Archaeologist, L–P: Archaeology | Wellbeing and commercial archaeology.
14:40 | Gaille Mackinnon, Lead Forensic Anthropologist and Archaeologist, Alecto Forensics | The impact of archaeology on mental health and wellbeing on people, and how to manage it.
15:00 | - | BREAK
15:30 | Dr. Karina Croucher, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology, University of Bradford | Using funerary archaeology to support wellbeing and build resilience: Continuing Bonds; Dying to Talk and BReaTHe (Building Resilience Through Heritage)
15:50 | Charlotte Frearson, Student Recruitment & Experience Officer/Fieldwork & Placement Coordinator/Careers Tutor (with her therapy dog Indy), UCL Institute of Archaeology | TAG’s take on wellbeing. UCL Institute of Archaeology Student and Staff wellbeing in the university environment.
