Developing a ‘Maritime and Marine Historic Environment Research Framework’ for England
English Heritage has commissioned the Centre for Maritime Archaeology at the University of Southampton to co-ordinate the development of a research framework for the maritime, marine and coastal archaeology of England.
The research framework will provide a coherent overview of previous research into the maritime and marine historic environment of England, in order to enable long-term strategic planning, to inform policy and to provide a statement of agreed research priorities within which researchers can shape projects.
In order for this to be both a successful reflection of the current state of knowledge and a vehicle by which the key research questions for this diverse community can be identified, it is essential that all those involved in the maritime, marine or coastal archaeology of England, from the academic, commercial and voluntary sectors, are involved in its creation. To this end they are inviting as many stakeholders as possible to be involved in the process.
Developing a Resource Assessment and Research Agenda
The project involves an assessment of our current state of knowledge on a period-by-period or thematic basis (the resource assessment) and production of a research agenda outlining the gaps in our knowledge, strengths to build upon and identifying future avenues of research.
The resource assessment process and the subsequent development of a research agenda will be driven by working groups. Each working group, comprised of 5–6 members and two chairs. The resource assessment and research agenda documents produced by the working groups will be open to public consultation through the project website, and in addition a targeted consultation group of ‘critical friends’ (experts and practitioners in the field) will be recruited to comment in detail on them. After consultation these will be drawn together into one Maritime and Marine Historic Environment Resource Assessment and Research Agenda for England, ready for publication in July 2010.
Working Groups & Chairs:
- Palaeolithic: Prof Geoff Bailey & Dr Kieran Westley
- Mesolithic: Prof Martin Bell & Dr Graeme Warren
- Neolithic and Early Bronze Age: Dr Fraser Sturt & Prof Robert van de Noort
- Late Bronze Age and Iron Age: Dr Jeremy Hill & Dr Steve Willis
- Roman: Gustav Milne, Mick Walsh & Dr Pete Wilson
- Anglo-Saxon: Prof Martin Carver & Dr Chris Lovelock
- Medieval: Dr Jon Adams & Dr Joe Flatman
- Post-Medieval: Kevin Camidge & Dr Virginia Dellino-Musgrave
- 20th Century: Dave Parham & Mark Beattie-Edwards
- Methods, Technologies, Visualisation and Dissemination: Dr Justin Dix & Jon Gribble
- Archaeological Archives and Collections: Julie Satchell & Duncan Brown
Key Project Dates and Getting Involved
Upcoming key dates are the introductory project seminars on the afternoon of Tuesday June 9th in London and Thursday June 11th in York. These short seminars are open to everyone and will introduce the scope, structure and methodology of the project as well as provide opportunity for discussion.
The ‘Working Group Workshop’ will be on July 9th–10th in Winchester. During the workshop they will be establishing the Framework’s structure and details of the Resource Assessment and Research Agenda documents, and holding start-up meetings for each working group. There will also be a larger project conference open to all in April 2010, to present the Resource Assessment and agree the Research Agenda. There are three stages to producing a Research Framework:
- Resource Assessment;
- Research Agenda;
- Research Strategy.
The final stage – agreeing a prioritised list of research objectives – will follow as a second project once the Resource Assessment and Research Agenda have been agreed and published.
If you are interested in participating, would like further project details or wish to book a place on one of the introductory seminars, please contact Jesse Ransley
B65b/2008
Archaeology
University of Southampton
Avenue Campus
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BF
