discovering the archaeologists of europe: ireland institute of archaeologists of ireland ...

Discovering the Archaeologists of Europe:

IRELANDInstitute of Archaeologists of Ireland

http://www.discovering-archaeologists.eu

Archaeology as a Profession on the Island of Ireland:

A roller coaster from the Past into the Future

Dr Kerri ClearyProject Manager for DISCO 2014 on behalf of the Institute of

Archaeologists of Ireland

European Association of Archaeologists

Pilsen 2013

7th September




2002

20062008/9

2012/13




The first official surveys of the profession in Ireland took place in 2002

• Estimated number of archaeologists: 650

• Rapid growth in demand of archaeologists

• Forecasted inflow of archaeologists from overseas

Average age: 37.4

Average earnings: €35,680 per year

Gender: 51% male; 49% female

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1985 1987 1990 1993 1995 1998 1999 2000* 2001*

• Increase of over 750% of excavation licences from 1990 to 1999




Discovering the Archaeologists of Europe 2006-2008

What did this survey manage to capture?

THE PEAK

Almost 300% more archaeologists employed in the Republic of Ireland

89% employed in the commercial sector




Almost equally distributed by gender

Males and females were more or less equally represented with a small dominance of 10% by men

This small bias in favour of males was present only in commercial archaeology, while in all the other category of employment the proportion was entirely balanced




The People

Archaeologists working in Ireland were: Young

average age of 51.5% of the workforce was 20-29 years old with a further 40.1% in the 30-39 age range




Qualified

80% of professionals employed in the sector held a primary degree, and half of these also had a postgraduate qualification

97% of professionals were employed on a full-time basis (>30 hours per week)




Mainly they came from recent EU member states (e.g.: 23.5% are Polish)

71% of them were employed as site assistant and their average gross salary was €26,8910

44% of the archaeologists working in Ireland were from overseas:

The average gross salary was €37,680 per year = 2.8% lower than the national average; 76% of employees earned less than €35,000




Country Growth in thenext year(2008-09)

Growth in thenext three years(to 2010-11)

Austria +4% -3%

Belgium +3% +12%

Cyprus +33% +33%

Czech Republic +11% +21%

Germany -2% -12%

Greece +2% +39%

Hungary unknown

Ireland +26% +42%

Netherlands +27% +38%

Slovak Republic +9% +3%

Slovenia +13% +32%

United Kingdom +14% +26%

Will the profession of archaeology grow over the next three years?




Post-DISCO I, 2008-09

566

281




Post-DISCO I, 2013

Has gender distribution changed?




Has age distribution changed?

44 % are 25-35 years old 39% are 35-45 years old




Have qualification levels changed?




Have employment levels changed?

34% had to work at a lower grade

48% had to work outside of archaeology to make a living




Have wage levels changed?

Average industrial wagein Ireland from 2012 to 2013€41,806 to €43,101 per annum




“I would say that my salary has been reduced by 40 - 50% since 2008”

“I am now working in the public service in a completely unrelated sphere for a very good wage. With the exception of local voluntary heritage groups I will probably never work in archaeology again which after 4 years of college and 10 years of work is very disheartening to me personally”

“I have a degree but not enough experience to get a job. Catch 22. Need experience to get a job, need a job to get experience”

“While I have been very fortunate to continue working full time in archaeology I am working for the same wages as when I started 8 or 9 years ago. This doesn't provide for the future, allowing week to week living only”




Heritage Week and ‘Archaeofest’

Communicating Archaeology




Community Archaeology




Continuous Professional Development

Introduction to Conservation Plans

Bone Identification




• Recent increase in number of excavation licences issued in the Republic of Ireland

(Mount, C. 2013. The decline in archaeological excavation in Ireland has stopped! Charles Mount’s Blog, 3 July 2013. http://charles-mount.ie/wp/?p=1068)

• Cultural and Heritage Tourism key factors in economic recovery

• Improved career structures and paths

• Unified voice

• Data from DISCO 2012-2014 will help plan for the future

The Future

• Re-envisioning the profession




Acknowledgements

• Conor McDermott, Patrizia La Piscopia & Margaret Gowen

• The Heritage Council of Ireland

• James Eogan, Dr Eoin O’Sullivan, Christine Baker, Dr Eileen Reilly & Franc Myles

• The Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht

• Dr Kenneth Aitchison, Dr Gavin MacGregor & York Archaeological Trust

discovering the archaeologists of europe: ireland institute of archaeologists of ireland ...

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