Schedule and abstracts online!

May 27, 2011
by Mark Almond

We just added the schedule and all the abstracts of this year’s presenters on the ‘Schedule’ and ‘Abstracts’ page. It looks like we will be covering quite a bit of ground, there is an immense diversity of topics. Have a look for yourself what’s coming up!

A word from our keynotes

May 21, 2011
by Mark Almond

We have just received the titles and abstracts from our keynote speakers, Prof. Tim Champion and Prof. Matthew Johnson. It promises to be an exciting journey through the changing postgraduate communities at Southampton and around the world. Here they are:

The invention of the postgraduate community
Prof. Tim Champion

Looking back over recent decades, it is striking how much the Department of Archaeology has changed, not only in size, but in its composition. Postgraduate research students have always been with us, but their numbers were very small and little provision was made for them, except one small office; there was no sense in which a ‘community’ or a ‘culture’ existed. Changes from the 1980s onwards were to a large extent the result of external influences: the idea of a taught MA/MSc as essential research training for a PhD, and the insidious growth of funding-related research assessment, when size mattered more and more. PGR numbers continued to grow, but more dramatic still was the rapid expansion of MA/MSc students and the appearance of an entirely new species, the post-doctoral research fellow. With the increase in size, their came the elements of a ‘research culture’ (specialist centres, offices, seminars, annual conferences) and with it a feeling of a ‘community’.

what is a postgraduate ‘community’?
Prof. Matthew Johnson

In this informal talk, I will follow on from Prof Champion’s historical reflection on the changing Southampton postgraduate community. I will think about what is or should be an ideal ‘postgraduate community’ by reflecting on my experiences of such communities at different places around the world. I will draw some contrasts and tensions, for example between the need for a supportive environment and one in which students learn to survive and prosper, and between a collective identity and diversity between different theoretical ‘schools’.

The 10th Postgraduate Research Archaeology Symposium

April 9, 2011
by Hembo Pagi

The Symposium will be held on the 2-3 June at the Avenue Campus, University of Southampton. PhD and Master students will have the opportunity to present their research projects in a friendly and constructive environment, get feedback and see other colleagues’ work. Papers will be up to 15 minutes long, with extra minutes for questions/discussion at the end of each session.

We are pleased to announce that this year two eminent scholars from the Department of Archaeology, Prof. Timothy Champion and Prof. Matthew Jonhnson, will talk about their experience in our Postgraduate Community.

PGRAS10 Book Sale

March 23, 2011
by Mark Almond

We are now gratefully accepting books for the annual (!) second-hand book-sale. The sale will take place during the 10th Postgraduate Symposium 2-3 June, and the aim is to redistribute those untouched books and generate some money in the process. This time the money will go towards cancer research.

It was a great success last year, so do make sure you come along and have a look at what’s on offer! Some say there will be cakes on sale too…

If you have archaeology (or otherwise) books that are just gathering dust, please leave them in the marked box in the Archaeology Office, or email the PGR Symposium Organising Committee or Emilie for assistance.

Many thanks for your support!

PGRAS10 Photo Contest

March 18, 2011
by Hembo Pagi

Exposing archaeologies is about the archaeology that surrounds our every-day’s life. It is about how we observe other worlds impacting our lives through their essence but also through their silence. Exposing archaeologies is therefore, about how our contact with archaeology changes our own world, viewed from a different angle, a different lens. Participate with a photo that describes what are your thoughts about archaeology and how it has influenced your life.

The contest will be divided in two parts, submissions, open from today until the 20th of May, and contest on the 2nd and 3rd of June. There is no editorial committee for the photo competition but the best 12 photos, based on your vote (20th -22nd of May), will be displayed and the overall winner will be displayed in the Archaeology building on Avenue Campus!

If you are interested in participating, upload you photo and vote for your favourite.

Remember to join the group first and wait for approval.

We count on you!

Read more for details