Workshop information:
Despite being enshrined in planning guidance, there still seems to be confusion as to what a desk-based assessment is and its purpose. Discussions with ALGAO last year highlighted issues including submission of DBAs when they are not required and the frequent appearance of documents that do little more than reiterate information already available in the HER, with no meaningful assessment of significance, potential or impact. This led to the organisation of a workshop on DBAs at the CIfA AGM in October 2018. It was decided to repeat this workshop across the UK to ensure a wide range of feedback especially from those operating under different planning policies, therefore, workshops are now taking place this year in Cardiff, Manchester and Edinburgh - see below! CIfA is currently undertaking a thorough review of its Standards and guidance, which includes consideration of where and why things might be going wrong. Please come along if you're able and take part in the discussions. A survey will be circulated ahead of the workshops to try and get as much feedback as possible ahead of the events.
Audience:
The workshops are aimed at anyone who commissions, writes, reviews or uses desk-based assessments.
Workshop locations:
2019 workshops will take place in Cardiff (13 September), Edinburgh (15 October), Manchester (Date TBC, November).
Please click the button below to book your place
Cardiff: Book your place here
Edinburgh: Book your place here
Manchester: Booking page coming soon
Workshop audience:
The workshop is aimed at archaeologists and historic environment practitioners who commission, write or approve DBAs. The course is not designed to teach delegates with little or no previous experience how to write a DBA.
Workshop presenters:
* All workshops: Kate Geary, Standards Development Manager, CIfA
* All workshops: Jen Parker Wooding, Senior Professional Standards & Practice Coordinator, CIfA
* Cardiff: Judith Doyle, Planning Offficer, Glamorgan and Gwent Archaeological Trust
* Cardiff: James Meek, Head of Field Services, Dyfed Archaeological Trust Ltd
* Cardiff: Paul Driscoll, Archaeology and HER Officer, South Gloucestershire Council
* Cardiff: Philip Bethell, Senior Associate Director, RPS Consulting
* Edinburgh: Bruce Mann, Regional Archaeologist, Aberdeenshire Council
* Edinburgh: Kevin Mooney, Senior Archaeology and Heritage Consultant, WSP
* Manchester: Norman Redhead, Heritage Management Director (Archaeology), GMAAS
* Other presenters TBC
Workshop structure:
The workshops will run from 10:00 - 16:00 though timings may vary slightly. They will include a mix of presentations and collaborative discussion (see below - full agenda coming soon). Presentations will be heard from CIfA, local curators, contractors and consultants to encompass a wide range of viewpoints regarding the role and perception of DBAs across the sector. This will be followed by discussion and group work focusing on the current S&G.
- CIfA Introduction and initial discussion
- Desk-based assessments from the curator’s point of view (Wales/Scotland depending on workshop location)
- Desk-based assessments from the curator’s point of view (England)
- Desk-based assessments from the consultant’s point of view
- Desk-based assessments from the contractor’s s point of view
- Discussion: what is a DBA? A closer look at terminology and purpose
- Collaborative discussion: what are the barriers to achieving the Standard?
- Collaborative discussion: how can we tackle the barriers? Looking towards potential solutions
- S&G breakdown – are changes needed?
- Summary and close
Learning outcomes:
After attending the course, delegates will be able to
- define and understand the purpose of a DBA and its role within the planning process
- understand what curators look for in a DBA
- gain a better understanding of what the CIfA Standard and guidance for desk-based research requires and why
- understand how compliance with the S&G may be monitored
- gain a better appreciation of the issues that may make compliance with the S&G problematic and how to address them
- better consider and present the significance, potential and/or impact of the heritage being assessed
- better appreciate how a DBA should enhance the existing Historic Environment Record
- contribute to the review and improvement of the CIfA S&G to ensure it’s fit for purpose
National Occupational Standards
The identified workshop learning outcomes both support and contribute to the performance and knowledge requirements of several of the National Occupational Standards for archaeological practice. These are outlined below:
The learning outcomes of this workshop supports the Knowledge requirements for:
CCSAPAA1 Develop policies and gidance for archaeology
The learning outcomes of this workshop contributes to the Performance and Knowledge requirements for:
CCSPAAA2 Commission research
CCSPAAB2 Develop and agree objectives for projects
CCSPAAB3 Propose and agree project methods
CCSPAAC1 Research and analyse information to achieve objectives
CCSPAAD1 Characterise the archaeological resource and recommend action
