Oxford Archaeology's community team has experience preparing and delivering a range of activities and events to suit a variety of audiences. Whilst we undertake many public engagement activities as part of our commercial projects, we also love to engage with the public more widely, especially in areas local to our regional offices in Oxford, Cambridge and Lancaster. Discover more about how you can get us involved with your community below.
Our staff love to share their passion for archaeology with others. We regularly deliver engaging and insightful talks to local groups, communities, universities and schools, on specialist subjects and recent local projects. These talks can take place in person or online, and offer people the chance to ask questions of our archaeologists and see the latest finds.
Where appropriate, we have also offered guided group tours of our ongoing excavations and premises, as well as tours of archaeological sites in the areas local to our offices.
"The site tour was excellent and the presenters were passionate and knowledgeable, able to answer everyone’s questions."
Oxford Archaeology has trained people from complete beginners to experienced professionals, developing their archaeological field skills, such as site survey, excavation techniques, recording, photography and photogrammetry, as well as desk-based research, finds processing, identification, reporting and archiving.
Besides teaching people how to follow the archaeological process for themselves, we have run practical workshops to engage and excite people about the past and bring it to life for them. These have involved learning historic techniques and experimental archaeology, and use of different visual and expressive mediums, often in partnership with artists and re-enactment groups.
Our community team have also delivered training on identifying, understanding and engaging different audiences in archaeology.
"Thank you for arranging for such professional, knowledgeable people to inspire us. You are never too old to learn!"
Archaeology is a cross-curricular subject covering aspects of history, English, geography, art and design, mathematics, technology and science. It is a subject with which all age groups can engage and enjoy, and can offer hands-on learning transferable to a range of future careers. We participate in STEM fairs and careers events, offer work experience opportunities and deliver teacher training. We have produced bespoke educational learning packs, including handling material and digital resources.
Our team has delivered interactive sessions for many different educational groups, including pre-school and school pupils, families and home education groups, youth groups, university students and adult learners. We have experience of working with learners with special educational needs and work closely with educators to tailor activities according to their learners.
"The OA staff leading sessions were very good and quickly realised what a range of abilities we had and adjusted accordingly. I was surprised at how many of our students wanted to come, and at how much they engaged and enjoyed the visit."
We have worked with many organisations to co-produce temporary public displays in settings such as museums, village halls, libraries, schools, conference centres and offices. We have loaned archaeological artefacts, handling material, and hands-on activities, and produced engaging interpretation.
Each of Oxford Archaeology's regional offices are experienced at providing general interest text and graphics for the public in a wide variety of printed forms including display boards, leaflets, and popular books, as well as digital outputs, including videos, infographics and online story maps.
"Wonderful exhibition - very interesting finds in excellent display and good interpretation."
Our team has experience of applying for and working with a range of funding bodies, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
