This project aimed to widen participation by establishing a creative dialogue with local BME Communities. Partners were able to explore why there are very few individuals from black minority ethnic (BME) communities involved in archaeology in the UK.

Project Outline

Understood to be the first of its kind, this project aimed to widen participation by establishing a creative dialogue with local BME Communities. BSCKE funds provided the opportunity for partners, including the Black Minority and Ethnic (BME) Community Partnership, a BME Mental Health Advocacy organisation and the University of Sussex to explore why there are very few individuals from black minority ethnic (BME) communities involved in archaeology in the UK.

Locally, (Brighton) there are also low levels of BME participation in professional employment, membership of local amateur societies, fieldwork projects and on archaeology courses offered by the University of Sussex. Archaeology can be presented in the media and taught in ways which tend to make individuals from these groups feel alienated from the subject: for example, there is archaeological evidence for BME groups being present in Britain over thousands of years, but this is not widely publicised. The project investigated whether there are barriers to involvement in archaeology among the local BME communities and how these can be overcome through a more inclusive and imaginative approach.

Subject to feedback from the scoping sessions, the pilot workshops were envisaged as catering for a combination of learning styles, with some theory-based sessions, practical and experimental skills activities, field trips, discussion and guest speakers. Local artisans and specialists from archaeology and education were employed to teach in a variety of styles and from different cultural perspectives, designed to enhance the learning experience. Wherever possible, BME archaeology and heritage professionals/workers and local BME artists and craftspeople were invited to lead or participate in these activities.

Project Partners

Black and Minority Ethnic Community Partnership (BMECP) InnerVision, a BME mental health advocacy organisation Centre for Continuing Education, Sussex Institute, University of Sussex