Public Archaeology MA

The MA in Public Archaeology explores innovative ways we can engage the public in archaeological research (and practice) as an audience, as clients, and as co-producers. 

It combines the theory and context of the relationship between archaeologists, archaeology, and the public with active research and practical experience.

You will develop a comprehensive understanding of how archaeology can benefit society today and will gain practical experience through a short work placement. The pathway is ideal for anyone seeking to learn more about public archaeology, develop their professional practice, or for those with career aspirations as a 'public' or 'community archaeologist.'

The course runs across three terms with the fourth (summer) term dedicated fully to the research dissertation.

MODULES

• Advanced Research Skills: This module examines the skills and methodologies required for advanced archaeological, historical and heritage research. You will gain the opportunity to explore a range of skills and to build on your existing knowledge and expertise, including how to identify relevant resources, how to appraise and critique research publications, and how to construct and analyse historical and archaeological evidence. This module therefore lays the groundwork for larger research projects, such as the dissertation. Through this module, you are afforded the opportunity to engage with the practicalities of undertaking research in the archive and in the field, considering varying approaches to active and pro-active research. You will learn how to work with historical and archaeological practitioners, organisations and digital resources, honing your craft with cutting edge research methods and practice.
• Key Concepts in Public Archaeology: Drawing on current research, this module explores theoretical and practical debates in public archaeology. In doing so, the module links to relevant, historic and current political and social movements in both the UK and US. This module covers key issues associated with public participation in archaeology, including:
  • community archaeology
  • the practice and ethics of volunteering in archaeology
  • the creation of, and access to, archaeological information
  • and archaeology and social benefit.

These modules provide a firm academic foundation for research in your specialist pathway, introducing you to what constitutes 'public archaeology' and the theoretical and practical debates and set you up with the skills for postgraduate research, especially the research dissertation. Advanced Research Skills also give you an opportunity to collaborate with students on our other postgraduate pathways in History and Archaeology.

• Critical Perspectives on the Past: Why and how does the past matter? Why and how do academic researchers tackle the human journey and its significance in today's world? Spanning the disciplines of history, heritage studies and archaeology, this module provides an advanced-level introduction and engagement with current theoretical and applied debates on the meaning of the human past and its significance in today's world.
• Public Archaeology, Sustainability and Nature Conservation: This module explores the relationship between public archaeology, sustainability, and nature conservation in Britain and the continent. It examines the history of the relationship between these disciplines, the different public, academic, and scientific frameworks within which they operate, their competing interests, and areas of mutual benefit. It also considers the place of public archaeology in a world where the effects of climatic and environmental change are becoming more apparent, the role archaeology plays in engaging communities with nature conservation, and the responsibilities of archaeologists in contemporary activism.
• Professional Project: This module offers experiential learning opportunities in the form of bespoke placements, or experiential or research projects that are embedded in professional practice. Projects allow you to develop applied skills in public archaeology, history, museums and heritage through a closely defined piece of work. There is considerable flexibility in the design and scope of these professional projects, but they may include digital work, placements or research projects undertaken either internally or externally. Each project will enable you to understand the demand, design, purposes, commissioning and delivery of specialist research and practice across the heritage and public engagement sectors. Archaeology, History, Heritage and Museum Studies all place a high value on research project work and the communication of that work to the public. The skills and capacity to carry out and present subject research according to required professional formats, accessibly and concisely for a range of audiences is an essential skill of the researcher. Demonstrating desk-based, collection-based, heritage or public engagement research expertise is also a key aspect of professional practice. Projects will be arranged to reflect your interests and, according to your pathway of study, may reflect on: 
  • Curation and collections management 
  • Material culture studies or archives 
  • Museums and heritage learning and public engagement 
  • Digital research or development 
  • Educational resources 
  • Relationships between archaeology and the public 
  • Archaeological, museums or heritage research practices, such as display 
  • Sector research and strategy  
• Historic Landscapes and Digital Worlds: This module interrogates specialist approaches to a shared endeavour of history, archaeology and heritage studies: to tell the story, and to critique the stories we tell, about past worlds. In the 21st century, this now encapsulates a host of digital and virtual environments, as well as more traditional engagements with tangible spaces and places. Material culture studies and social memory are pivotal concepts in this innovative field, allowing us to explore how people create the past through their engagements with physical as well as digital environments. We facilitate tackling these critical approaches outside of traditional subject-specific silos, through this module you will engage with interdisciplinary and specialist frameworks to enhance your chosen Master’s pathway. Here, you will have the opportunity to work with dedicated members of staff to explore topics in depth and to develop your skills as a professional in your particular field. The module allows you to explore a wide range of chronological and geographic landscapes and environments, virtual or physical, through one of two critical lenses, either:
  • Tangible pasts: exploring landscape, material culture and memory in the past and present (incorporating archaeological, historical and heritage theory, method and practice) 
  • Digital pasts: evaluating and utilising digital and virtual environments for public history, heritage and public archaeology.
• Research Dissertation: Each student researches and writes a 12,000-word dissertation on a historical, archaeological, museums or heritage-related topic of their choosing. The topic and title are negotiated between the student and the supervising tutor. The research dissertation is based upon guided, but largely independent, research and upon substantial use of a range of primary source materials. The dissertation module includes taught elements on dissertation prep and design and one-to-one individual supervision.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

Job Prospects

Students may go on to find meaningful employment in the industry or pursue a research degree. Destinations include heritage organisations, museums, and the civil service or education sectors. 

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extracurricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.