As well as premiering on #Archaeosoup the #WatchingBrief has its own dedicated YouTube channel, where you can watch the latest edition and explore the best of our back catalogue.
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It's a debate which is not really being had. So we are going to try to have the debate on #WatchingBrief...
If you are an Archaeologist who is using #AI tools for work, either because you choose to, or you have been told to, how is it going?
Contact in confidence.
Signal ID: AndyBrockman.25
We talked about the cost and about why the issue of the CEO who [maybe] never was important to archaeology world, on a second #WatchingBrief.
We asked questions on behalf of CIfA members who we still think are owed answers about what happened and where thousands of pounds of their money went.
We discussed the "batshit crazyness" of the appointment of CIfA's new CEO, who might not have been and CIfA's handling of the issues raised on the #WatchingBrief.
We also invites Giles Richardson onto the #WatchingBrief to discuss the pioneering work of the #MaritimeObservatory in developing techniques whereby satellite data can be used to monitor Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) and deter and investigate #HeritageCrime impacting on such sites.
thePipeLine and #WatchingBrief have been covering the work of Archaeologists to protect historic shipwrecks from commercial #HeritageCrime.
Now the Honor Frost Foundation has published a new study of the use of cutting edge satellite technology and data analysis to identify and track bad actors.
Graham concludes,
"It does look like HS2 have learned their lesson from the initial work.
It is a shame we were not made aware of
the original proposal as all of this unpleasantness
may well have been avoidable."
[Thanks to Graham for linking to the #WatchingBrief discussion in the news letter]
News on the Edgcote Battlefield Row.
Graham Evans who I spoke to for #WatchingBrief has issued an update and says,
"... it looks like HS2 will not be doing any further soil movement within the bounds of the Registered Battlefield."
Here is the original discussion.
For #HolocaustMemorialDay I am reposting a #WatchingBrief from January 2023 where we devoted the episode to discussing the contribution of Archaeology to the study of the Holocaust and the investigation of crimes against humanity.
Caroline Jackson's departure from Sheffield University takes place against the background of ongoing complaints that Archaeology at Sheffield, especially Zooarchaeology, already split across unrelated departments with no undergraduate cohort, continues to be downgraded.
Background on #WatchingBrief
Yes and...what next in archae comms?
#Watchingbrief discusses "Trowel and Error", the landmark report from the CBA and partners into how archaeology talks to the public.
The report calls for training and resources, but who will pay and does archaeology really need to sing from a single hymn sheet?
#WatchingBrief is taking a look at the landmark Trowel and Error report from the CBA.
Have you read it yet (& you really should)?
If you have read it let us know what you think?
Has it provided new insights into archaeology comm's,
Or is it a "no sh*t Sherlock" statement of the bleeding obvious?
“...we’re going to catch less bad stuff”
Says Trump friendly, broligarch Mark Zuckerberg as he announces Meta is to reduce content moderation, move moderation teams to Texas (the jokes write themselves) & carry more "political content".
By coincidence the incoming #WatchingBrief features Facebook.
The jackhammer approach to renovating historic buildings in Washington.
The HE #BuildingsAtRisk Register 2025.
How the Lost King defamation decision might not have been what some archaeologists wanted it to be,
& a double dose of #Stonehenge for you to
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What links...
The Epstein Memorial Ballroom,
The Historic England #BuildingsAtRisk register 2025,
and Archaeology having its day(s) in court, or did it?
A: They are topics in this month's #WatchingBrief, out soon.
Meanwhile here is our back catalogue.
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The #WatchingBrief is an independent news outlet bringing you public interest stories about archaeological news, politics and current affairs.
If you would like to see more of what we do please help us beat the YouTube algorithm by liking, sharing and subscribing to the #WatchingBrief channel.
In the new #WatchingBrief
We talk HS2 spoil spoiling archaeology of the Battle of Edgcote with Graham Evans of the Northamptonshire Battlefield Society.
Happily a solution to the procedural loophole is ready to go only requiring secondary legislation.
So why won't Historic England talk about it?
In our recent interview with Professor Umberto Albarella on #WatchingBrief we mentioned that #SheffieldUniversity UCU was balloting its members over possible industrial action.
The result is now in and the UCU has a mandate for action, including strike action.
The #WatchingBrief has asked Sheffield University how it responds to the allegations about the treatment of the Zooarchaeology Lab which its staff and users have raised on Social Media and in our interview with Professor Albarella.
We will let you know if we get a reaponse.
Q: What do you call a Zooarchaeology lab without windows, disabled access and a third of its reference collection?
A: Sheffield University staff would love to know.
#WatchingBrief hears the latest on Sheffield's, allegedly deliberate, downgrading of its once world class archaeology provision.
We will be covering the situation regarding the #SheffieldZooarchaeology Lab in the #WatchingBrief.
Did you train in Zooarchaeology at Sheffield?
Have you used the Sheffield lab or reference collection?
What would be the impact if the collection closes.
Tell us here or DM in confidence.
#thePipeLine & #WatchingBrief have covered the slow deconstruction of Sheffield University archaeology by the University SMT since it began.
The latest allegation is the internationally important Zooarchaeology Lab and reference collection has been moved to an unsuitable site & set up to fail.
Thanks again. Marc, @mrsoup.bsky.social, my co-host and producer of #WatchingBrief will appreciate your words too.
We try to give an independent voice to archaeologists and, where necessary, to speak truth to power in the sector.
With the help of our supporters we hope we can continue to do so.
Thank you to everyone who has read and shared our story about the allegations the President of the #EAA supported a campaign pressuring the Executive Board to reverse its Gaza vote.
There is now a #WatchingBrief video with a discussion putting the story in context.
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Reinforcing the point local courses like Worcester's University offer something different the #WatchingBrief gathered a group of Worcester graduates to show just what would be lost if the course closed.
The latest #WatchingBrief update on the #EAA2025 row has gone live.
TLDR: We need your help to move the story on.
Most importantly, who sent those protest emails to #EAA
Board members and what was said which saw a democratic vote reversed?
Please Watch, Like & Share.
Signal ID: AndyBrockman.25
Mr Soup has thoughts on the #EAA omnishambles and the wider issue of how archaeological bodies respond to real world events (or don't).
Expect to hear them in the next #WatchingBrief.
But what do you think?
Are you happy with how the organisations which represent you talk to you and the world?
#thePipeLine & #WatchingBrief follow the UK National Union of Journalists Code of Conduct.
We always protect our sources (we couldn't do what we do without you).
Here is information about how to contact us safely about #EA2025, or any story from heritage world you think people should know about.
Our story about the comm's and moral chaos at the #EAA over its policy regarding Gaza and delegates from Israel at #EA2025 is now also available on the #WatchingBrief YouTube channel.
Finally, you can help us defeat the forces who would rather we were not here for nothing by liking, sharing and subscribing to the #WatchingBrief channel on YouTube.
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