The 2017 GMAC Diversity Field School Competition

Posted On: 09/21/2016

The Gender and Minority Affairs Committee (GMAC) is proud to announce the 2017 GMAC Diversity Field School Competition.  We invite all SHA members and conference attendees to participate in this prestigious competition.

As the field of historical archaeology continues to expand, it is becoming increasingly important to develop archaeological practices that foster diversity in research objectives, perspectives, and participation. GMAC recognizes that diversity is multi-dimensional and thus “inclusive of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, abilities, and socio-economic background.” In an effort to recognize those who have shown a commitment to diversity in historical archaeology, GMAC encourages submissions from principal investigators, directors, managers, students, or any other SHA member who is running or has recently run a field school that demonstrates diversity in the broadest sense of the term.

The submission guidelines are outlined below and the deadline for submission is October 15, 2016. All entries and inquiries should be directed to GMAC Chair Dr. Flordeliz T. Bugarin, and submitted electronically to florie_bugarin@yahoo.com.

Awardees will be announced at the 50th Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology in January 2017 in Forth Worth, Texas, and presented with a certificate.  First, second, and third place winners will be given special acknowledgement by SHA.  First place winners will be featured on the GMAC webpages and will have an opportunity to post visual materials such as a photo(s) or a short video (i.e., Your video must be hosted on a different platform such as YouTube or Vimeo.), a description of the field school, and any registration materials.

In addition, publishers exhibiting books at the SHA/ACUA annual conference will help recognize the winner of the competition by offering a selection of books as part of the award.

Eligibility:

  • The entrant must be a current SHA member and 2017 conference participant.
  • The field school must have been conducted within the period between January 2015 and January 2017.

Submission Requirements:

  • A complete application package that includes: (1) the application form with complete contact information, (2) an essay (500 words) that details how the field school contributes to diversity in the scholarship or tangible products of historical archaeology, (3) verification that the applicant (e.g., principal investigators, directors, managers, students, or any other SHA member who has recently run a field school) is a member of SHA, and (4) three pictures, a short video clip, digital poster, and/or any other information or visual media that can be posted on the GMAC website as vetted by the GMAC (see further information below on guidelines for digital photos and media).
  • The essay should include a brief summary of the field school, the research objectives or main questions, and the scope of the field school (i.e., the size of the field school, the duration of the field school, and a typical schedule). It should clearly demonstrate how the field school participants and the research objectives represent diversity.
  • Please submit one to three high-resolution (as defined by the SHA style guide) digital photos and/or visual media (such as one short 3 minute clip). Each submission should include a title and any necessary captions and should represent field school diversity according to the definition of diversity that is on the GMAC website.  The applicant is also responsible for securing the proper permissions from each person identified in digital submissions. Please submit no more than three photos and/or one video.

The image should be in its original form and not digitally altered. By submitting a photo you give SHA permission to reproduce any entry for promotional purposes only. No reproduction fee will be paid. Additionally, consent of all parties featured in the image is implied (see paragraph above).

Submissions will be judged based on:

  • The composition and quality of the media materials (e.g., visual materials, pamphlets, and/or any content submitted for the GMAC website), and how well they represent the diversity of the field school or the potential of the field school to increase diversity.
  • The commitment to diversity as expressed through the narrative essay.  The potential of the field school to inspire others to develop similar programs or to otherwise increase diversity in historical archaeology. 

For more information please contact:

Dr. Flordeliz T. Bugarin, GMAC Chair
florie_bugarin@yahoo.com
Send all application materials to her by October 15, 2016.