A Practitioner's Guide to Public Archaeology: Intentional Programming for Effective Outreach

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Many archaeologists learn by trial and error while developing public programs and events and are mostly unaware that others in the profession are undergoing the same challenges. Archaeologists seldom receive professional development on K-12 pedagogy, public engagement, program design, or assessment. For many in the field, public outreach is often an under-funded and under-resourced extension of an already overwhelming workload; yet this work is incredibly important.
In A Practitioner's Guide to Public Archaeology: Intentional Programming for Effective Outreach, more than thirty public archaeology practitioners will help you reduce the guesswork and stress behind program planning in this engaging and reader-friendly handbook. A complement to the growing library of public archaeology publications, the authors exclusively focus on key components of planning, implementing, and assessing public archaeology programming. Learn how to connect with your audience; build an accessibility mindset; create intentional goals and outcomes; identify resources, collaborators, and other logistical needs; and conduct assessments to better understand your impact. Discover ideas and techniques for all ages programming, like public excavations, site tours, festivals, and lectures; K-12 presentations and events, including formal and nonformal educational programs that occur inside and outside of a classroom; and community-based heritage management programs that include those designed for recurring participation by active, trained volunteers. Throughout the book, curated case study excerpts provide a diversity of perspectives and offer practical insights. The book concludes with a collection of logistics templates and real-world examples to help you streamline your program preparation.
Drawing from decades of experience, youll discover guidance on navigating challenges, celebrating successes, and lessons learned. Whether you are new to public archaeology or a seasoned expert, this book offers valuable insights for all practitioners.

Reviews

Reetz and Sperling have assembled the much-needed comprehensive volume dedicated to the methods and practice of public archaeology that we have all been waiting for. The contributors not only provide step by step guides for an array of public archaeology programming, but also share the nuances of public engagement that seasoned practitioners have learned through years of experience. This book is a must have for anyone doing or thinking about doing public archaeology. -- M. Jay Stottman, assistant director, Kentucky Archaeological Survey, Western Kentucky University
Whether you are new to public archaeology or an old hand, this book is the guide you've been missing. A Practitioner's Guide to Public Archaeology carefully considers what goes into successful public outreach and acknowledges the work of practitioners in a meaningful way. A wonderful new resource! -- Rebecca Wiewel, Editor of Public Archaeology Notes
Sharing the results of archaeological investigations with stakeholders is the most important, and most overlooked, aspect of archaeology. This practical guide provides a comprehensive playbook for how to effectively communicate what we do to a broader audience because if we dont, why does it all matter -- Matthew Piscitelli, lead principal investigator. SEARCH, Inc.
This is the book I needed when I started in Archaeological Outreach! It walks you through important vocabulary and concepts, details of setting up and planning a program, connecting with an audience, and evaluating the program when finished. Discussions of planning outreach activities are often overlooked in other literature in this space, but not here! -- Michelle Rathgaber, educational outreach coordinator, Arkansas Archeological Survey
All who wish to share the insights of archaeology with diverse publics will delight in this collection. Drawing upon hard lessons learned and illuminations gained among thirty-plus contributing archaeologists and educators, A Practitioners Guide to Public Archaeology charts in rich detail practical steps toward communicating an underlying truth: there are many different ways to be 'successfully human.' -- James F. Brooks, Gable Chair in History, University of Georgia, co-editor of Public Archaeology in the 21st Century
A long-awaited contribution to the field of public archaeology. Expertly crafted, this comprehensive volume is a must-have for archaeology enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned veteran, the wealth of knowledge within these pages is tailored to meet your public archaeology needs. From mastering the art of pedagogy to navigating the complexities of logistics, from fostering impactful partnerships to the science of assessing programs, this guide equips practitioners with the tools they need for success at every turn. The decades of experience and expertise within this volume will inspire, inform, and empower the next generation to make a lasting impact on the ever-evolving landscape of public archaeology. -- Mike Thomin, museum manager, Florida Public Archaeology Network, faculty research associate, University of West Florida

Author Bio

Elizabeth C. Reetz received an MA in Landscape Archaeology from the University of Galway and an M.Ed. in Environmental Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth. As director of strategic initiatives for the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA), Reetz supervises statewide outreach, engagement, and education initiatives, often in collaboration with Midwest descendant communities and Tribal Nations. She served on the Project Archaeology Leadership Team and as chairperson for the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) Public Education Committee. Her OSA Education and Outreach Program received the 2023 SAA Excellence in Public Programming Award.

Stephanie T. Sperling earned a BA in Anthropology from Pennsylvania State University and a Masters of Applied Anthropology from the University of Maryland. Her career has been spent in the Middle Atlantic region, with roles in cultural resource management, non-profits (including the position of director of archaeological research for the Lost Towns Project of Anne Arundel County, Maryland), and local governments, where she served as senior archaeologist for the Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince Georges County, Maryland. Throughout her career, Sperling led community excavations and tours of diverse sites including ancient Indigenous camps, colonial plantations, and twentieth-century segregated beach resorts. She designed countless innovative and collaborative archaeological outreach programs aimed at promoting conversation, stewardship, and preservation.