As a leading heritage organisation, Wessex Archaeology has a deep commitment to working alongside the public to explore how archaeology can bring people together, strengthen communities, and even bring about positive societal change.
In this talk, Arran Johnson and Natasha Bramall will reflect on their respective journeys into heritage careers and explore why archaeology can be such a transformative force for good. The lecture will also explore how key concepts such as communality, placemaking, and inclusive practice can make archaeology feel relevant and appealing to audiences that haven’t previously engaged with, or even felt excluded from, the discipline.
Arran and Natasha will offer practical examples of how sensitive, co-created adaptations to traditional methodologies have allowed intersecting barriers to participation to be considered, understood and addressed. They will also discuss enduring challenges, emerging possibilities, and how partnership working leads to more impactful outcomes in commercial archaeology engagement projects, social prescribing, and community initiatives.
The talk will conclude with thoughts on where the archaeology and wellbeing movement goes next, how projects can reach beyond established audiences, and the increasing role archaeology can play in tackling specific root causes of inequality, injustice, and social isolation.
Speakers
Natasha Bramall
