Using Archaeology for Recovery

Event Date

05/07/2024

Approximate timings:

9:30: Registration and Coffee

Seminar: 10AM - 5PM

Using Archaeology for Recovery: A one-day Seminar/Training Event

On Friday, 5 July 2024, Bournemouth University will be holding a Seminar/Training Event on Using Archaeology for Recovery. Speakers with a wide knowledge of running projects that assist those who have suffered from trauma, especially on the battlefield, will be sharing their experiences with those who wish to run similar projects. Case studies from both the UK and Europe will include Operation Nightingale, Waterloo Uncovered, Breaking Ground Heritage, and Ukraine, alongside discussion of the use of AMPHORA guidelines. We are particularly looking forward to welcoming two contributors from Kyiv who will share their experiences of running extensive programmes for veterans of the current conflict.

The seminar has been approved by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and we welcome those from the archaeological profession who wish to learn more about how archaeology can be used in this way and to share experiences with a view to establishing best practice in this expanding area of archaeology and well-being. The fee for the day is £65 which includes morning/afternoon teas, coffees, juices, and a light lunch.

Further Details

In recent years, the mental health benefits of working collectively on an archaeological excavation have been widely recognised. This Seminar will explore how archaeology is being used to help veterans recover from both the physical and mental trauma suffered in conflict. Contributions will include the experiences of veterans themselves as well as those running such projects, including a contribution from visiting Ukrainian archaeologists who have been setting up and running archaeology and heritage-based recovery programmes in Kyiv. In devising this Seminar, Bournemouth University is working closely with Richard Osgood, Senior Archaeologist for the UK's MoD, who has been managing such projects for over 10 years under the title of Operation Nightingale. The Seminar will seek to broaden out the discussion and to share experiences, so that effective recovery programmes can be developed, expanded, and used in other areas such as for the ‘blue light services’ (police, paramedics and other health professionals, fire brigades, etc). Richard Osgood said, “this is a very timely moment to bring together those working in this area to share experiences and examples of best practice, so that the hugely important benefit that archaeology brings to those suffering from trauma can be developed further”. The organiser of the Seminar, Professor Mark Brisbane, added “we are delighted that our colleagues from Ukraine, who are faced with dealing with the enormous consequences of armed conflict, will be joining us to discuss how they have had to set up recovery programmes for their veterans at such short notice, using archaeology and heritage as a significant part of their work”.

Please Note: This Seminar is only available in person, although we intend to record some of the proceedings and an edited version of this will be made available to participants after the Seminar. The video recording should be seen as offering some follow-up for those attending for CPD purposes as well as for others. The fee for the day for delegates has been set at £65, which will include morning/afternoon tea, coffee, juices, and a light lunch.

For further information on this event please contact [email protected]
How to get to BU:

Talbot campus is easily accessed via public transport and has bike storage points. Please see travel info

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