Impact: Adopting Archaeology - stewarding community heritage

Adopting Archaeology examines the sustainability and impact of locally-led stewardship of archaeological heritage - the adoption of archaeological sites and monuments by local people, usually in a formally constituted group.

Context
Adoption of archaeological heritage is connected strongly with sense of place and place attachment, also with public amenity. It is about practical action to ensure the good condition, understanding and accessibility of a heritage asset; and that it is shared with others now and in the future. It has been contrasted with outcomes of community archaeology projects where the resulting benefits are less certain or demonstrable. Arguably 'adopting' heritage is an inherently sustainable activity with a tangible legacy in material culture, environmental enhancement and collective community action.
Many archaeological sites and monuments are already cared for by local community groups and recent public policy places fresh emphasis on localism and community-led responsibility for community assets, encouraging new stewardship initiatives. These require long-term commitment and resources to be resilient, however, and claims about the wider benefits demand closer scrutiny.

Aims and objectives
The research aims to examine the sustainability and impact of archaeological stewardship of the heritage. It will support our understanding of the growth and experience of community heritage groups in this field and needs for a resilient future. This work will be conducted in a close partnership with the Council for British Archaeology, the UK's leading advocate for public and community archaeology. This is one of two PhD studentships on this project.

The objectives of the twin strands of the research are:
- A review of the history and character of voluntary archaeological stewardship in Britain from 19th-century roots in local guardianship, through the amenity and conservation movement of the 20th century to recent emphasis on localism
- A critical evaluation of the effects of recent policy change for community asset management and funding for community-led initiatives in heritage and the related context of community archaeology
- A digital 'mapping' of the distribution and scope of active stewardship projects, as both an analytical tool and a publicly available legacy of the research
- Investigation of the lived experience of groups in selective case study areas
- Facilitation of workshops and events with the CBA to connect local groups and foster ideas for cooperative practice
- Development with the CBA of an online community hub to connect local groups engaged in this area to share practical advice and guidance, support exchanges of experience and showcase successful projects
- An evaluation of the critical factors for resilience and sustainable futures for local community stewardship of archaeology to inform policy-makers and heritage agencies.

The student will work actively with the CBA's network of over 300 institutional members and CBA regional groups. Institutional members include many of the local history and archaeological societies that have, de facto or in more formally constituted ways, taken responsibility for looking after local heritage assets in their area. CBA Groups provide "an information hub for archaeology activity in the area, offering advice and best practice and influencing
decision-makers, promoting participation and archaeology for all". The student will select a number of individual CBA Group areas with which to work closely in facilitating workshops, events and as a pathway into knowledge of local stewardship groups. A number of biographies of exemplary case studies will be identified in the earlier stages to illustrate particular aspects of experience and outcomes, including the less successful as well as those that have flourished. These will enable the student to work closely with a small number of local groups to observe and participate in their projects.