The Festival of Archaeology’s A Day in Archaeology seems a fitting time to reflect on my new role as the Council for British Archaeology’s Audience and Network Manager and just how much a typical “day in my life” has changed since I started only five weeks ago. As with anyone who starts a new job, I’ve been adjusting to new routines, a new office and working environment in the centre of historic York, lovely new colleagues and the new challenge of leading the delivery of the CBA’s NLHF-funded Reconnecting Archaeology project.

The first thing I hear you (along with every single one of my friends and family) ask is… Katrina, what are you actually doing as the CBA’s Audience and Network Manager?

My role is a brand new one for the CBA, made possible by generous funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to manage and deliver the Reconnecting Archaeology project. Reconnecting Archaeology has come at a pivotal time for the CBA and aims to strengthen the organisation’s leadership and networking role within the heritage sector, by increasing both its resilience, and its understanding of, and engagement with, new audiences in a time when we all face increasing challenges to widening access to archaeology.

Achieving this aim over the next 17-months is going to rely on the delivery of many different strands of activity including: audience research, understanding the needs of the CBA’s network, working in partnership with key community and grassroots organisations who are successfully reimagining archaeology through new approaches (our ‘Catalyst for Change’ partners), cross-sector working, growing our network, piloting new projects (such as a new ‘Access to Archaeology’ pass), knowledge sharing, evaluation and addressing organisational resilience (specifically related to our membership offer, marketing, communications and branding).

My role is to oversee all activity strands, leading some and supporting colleagues to lead and deliver others, as well as making sure the delivery of the project is kept on time and to budget. It does mean I’m able to do what I do best and connect with lots of different groups, individuals and stakeholders, both within and outside the sector, to understand current perceptions of archaeology, barriers for engagement and how and where the CBA can facilitate and promote best practice in engaging new audiences for grassroots archaeology.

It's a project that I believe will have meaningful impacts on the accessibility and relevance of archaeology for the diverse societies we inhabit today, and empower the CBA’s members and groups to address important issues such as climate change, representation and sustainability in the work they do through facilitated peer-to-peer support and knowledge sharing.

That all sounds great, but how do I go about delivering the project day to day? What does a typical day look like for me?

I’ll start with the common phrase most people use when asked what a typical day in their job looks like… “no two are the same”! As the project is focused on gaining a deeper understanding of what our members and networks, partners and audiences want from the CBA as an umbrella organisation, I spend a lot of time talking to people. A large part of each day over my first five weeks has been spent in meetings, establishing connections and relationships with stakeholders, and sending many, many emails to introduce myself and kick-start different project strands.

I’ve also been setting up various online project management tools, as well as working with the wider team to familiarise myself with the CBA and all the things we do as an organisation.

My role won’t all be spent behind a desk though! I’ll be jumping on trains over the next few months to visit our Catalyst for Change partners in Carlisle, Cardiff, Leicester and the Highlands of Scotland as well as supporting delivery of CBA events and activities across the UK. 

I’m sure a typical day for me will look different in a few months’ time, and again in a year, as I settle in and as the project matures and develops. One thing I’m certain won’t change though, much to my bank balance’s horror, are my daily trips to the coffee shop round the corner from the CBA office to treat myself to a fancy coffee (is it a treat if it’s every day?! Who am I to say…).

So far, I’m loving my time at the CBA. I feel excited and energised by what we are trying to achieve through Reconnecting Archaeology and I already feel an integral and valued member of the wider CBA team.

There’s lots more to discover about the project on our website and if you have any questions about Reconnecting Archaeology, please reach out - I’m always very happy to chat (preferably over an oat latte!).