British Women Archaeologists

[i_love_rocks]

A new organization representing women in British archaeology.

From their website:
"British Women Archaeologists was founded at the beginning of 2008 as a facebook group. Created and promoted by current postgraduate students and employed archaeologists, it seeks to offer a place where women studying or working within the discipline can communicate, share experiences and find support. Since its creation in January interest in the group has exceeded expectations. The first meeting of BWA is planned for 30th May 2008 and will discuss the need for a womens group within archaeology, how the group should function and what its main role/aim will be. Please use the link for more details.

In an attempt to assess the status of women in archaeology, to gain information regarding attitdues to sex equality within the discipline and to determine what demand there is for a womens group in Archaeology we have developed a short questionnaire. Views from men are both welcomed and encouraged. A survey of this kind has only been undertaken once before, by the IFA in 1990. To understand the specific issues that affect women in modern Archaeology and to create a group that reflects the needs of the discipline we would like as many archaeologists as possible to contribute. Please follow the link on the right to be taken to the survey - voice your opinion!

Please ensure your survey is received by 25th May so results can be discussed at the meeting."

More details see: http://britishwomenarchaeologists.org.uk/

[oldgirl]

I know they would be very happy to receive more completed surveys, as they haven't had a huge number yet.

[BAJR Host]

BAJR (well me as an individual) fully supports this initiative .. this is an important and long overdue group.. congrads to the organisers.

For my part I have offered a private invite section for this group on the forum. This will not mean no dialouge in the public sections, but there is a need for people to discuss issues in an secure enviroment.

Once again.. to echo Oldgirl.. get them surveys filled in.

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[oldgirl]

In case anyone is considering filling in the form but worried about the anonymity part, I had the following response to my query when I asked:

'Please be assured that we are separating the surveys and deleting emails immediately - your survey has been re-saved as a word document with only BWA and a number (simply so they're separate documents). It will be impossible to trace individuals. Anonymity will be the only way we can get candid responses and we will make sure that's maintained.'

[Dirty Dave Lincoln]

I remember a blatant bit of discrimination working on a site for a woman supervisor once,the male PO would come to site nearly every day to find out the progress but he always came to ask me! so I dutifully filled him in only on whatever feature i was doing,owt else ask the Sup he would be told,which he would reluctantly do but only briefly.After getting short thrift of me he even tried asking a newbie young lad who being very flattered told him what he wanted to know,but that stopped next day after i had a quite word with the lad that such info should only come from the Sup in charge,so the idiot PO HAD to talk her.
I was told afterwards that the bloke had a problem accepting women on site as diggers let alone as running sites!!
Hopefully such was a rare occurence in archaeology and is even rarer now.Me, I don't care if a person is a hermaphrodite from the planet Venus so long as they are: 1)competant, and 2) can make a good cup of tea at breaktime.

[oldgirl]

I'm with you on that Dave! I got that a couple of times early on in my career, but not recently..... Think it's the mean left hook!

Unfortunately, there are still a number of unenlightened people around (male and female) but it's getting better! I think the group is a good idea, as it allows people to discuss (for example) appropriate ways round those sort of attitudes without getting upset/leaving the profession/losing it.

[trowelfodder]

Got my form filled in and sent off, and can only congratulate the founders of this group. I think its long overdue

[Els]

Mine's in!

[BAJR Host]

Think we are seeing why a womens group is needed.. and not devisive, but positive.

I worked for a bloke once, who did not like women on sites, as they
"Distract us from getting on with the job"

ER... thats his problem (the old letch) .. it was if the only thing that women were on a site for, was as sexual fodder for 'real' archaeologists.

There is so much more as well.. with women passed over, becasue they are not mates with the boss, as they all go to the pub together and can fart the theme tune to indiana jones. etc. Oh, they are notstrong enough, er.. they make good finds assistants (thats a proper job for a girl) etc etc...

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[Dirty Dave Lincoln]

I've known a few bosses who thought that only women have the patience to do finds work as its so boring and not exciting enough for blokes!which I find very insulting as a bloke due to the fact that no matter which unit I work for I prefer to work on finds.:face-confused: