After our latest strategic meeting it seemed clear that we are being asked for specific help. As one of our aims to keep a grass roots focus, it feels wonderful that we have now had enough feedback to create a plan which should be welcomed and make a difference to the lives of women archaeologists in the UK, including you!
The assistance we have been asked for has been in effect, remote mentoring. In response we have worked on the following solutions. Firstly we have finally managed to create a free online forum where you can choose your own names and hence be anonymous. We envisage this will create a closed female debating area where other members can help each other. Please see and sign up here:
However, a second tier is also offered where paying members can access more specialised assistance from women in the archaeological community with experience. Within our skill set, we can offer help/support for the following:
Commercial and Heritage: Advising on CVs/job applications; recommendations for further skills for individuals.
Academic: Reading of papers prior to submission; funding applications; CVs/job applications.
Volunteering: For anyone who would like individual advice and guidance.
Of course we will not write these for you; anything sent to us should be a final draft. We cannot take any responsibility for unsuccessful applications or the receipt of further criticism, you may ask for advice but you do not have to take it! But we hope through this to ensure members have an approachable remote friend, to comment, encourage and gently point to strengths and weaknesses. To take advantage of this, email womeninarchaeology@hotmail.com with MENTORING in the header. We will endeavour to get back to you quickly but you should expect no less than a 5 day turnaround.
The BWA is envisaged and designed as being a community, a network of support, to be of enormous benefit to many women at all stages of their study and career. If you would like to offer mentoring services and have not yet been approached, please email us!
