Career in Ruins

This week we are joined by Kristina Douglass, Joyce and Doug Sherwin Early Career Processor in the Rock Ethics Institute and Assistant Professor of Anthropology and African Studies, Penn State Collage. Kristina brings her fascinating prospective to how she became the leading professional that she is today, as well as discussion around the positive outcomes from Covid and research, multiculturalism, and the role of archaeology in re-evaluating historic racial narratives. Derek, Lawrence and Kristina also discuss her work in Madagascar, extinct flora and fauna and the pit falls of archaeological interpretation when looking at the computer game Fall Guys.

Hosted by Lawrence Shaw and Derek Pitman

Artwork by Ed Hudspeth

Sound production and theme tune by Guy Dowsett (Bucketofsound.com)

In this extended special, Career In Ruins forms an alliance with ArchaeoDuck to delve into the use of archaeology and anthropology in the Star Trek franchise. The podcast is an extended version of “Star Trek Archaeology, which can be found at the link below.

Who are the best and worst archaeologists in the various series? What do Star Trek and archaeology have to do with colonialism? Will Professor Galen ever remember to wear gloves when handling ancient objects? And why do we all have such a crush on Benjamin Sisko? We tackle these questions and more, with plenty of juicy clips and a few unintentional quips. Sit back (preferably with a cup of Earl Grey tea, hot), and enjoy. Did you enjoy hearing from Archaeoduck? You can hear much more from her incredible YouTube channel.

Archaeoduck YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/archaeoduck

Archaeology and Star Trek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKpqJvwwwMw&t=781s

Hosted by Lawrence Shaw, Derek Pitman and Chloë Duckworth

Artwork by Ed Hudspeth

Sound production and theme tune by Guy Dowsett (Bucketofsound.com)

This week the team are joined by a fantastic panel to discuss climate change and the historic environment. This special episode, produced on behalf of CITiZAN (Coastal Intertidal Zone Archaeological Network), has been made specifically for the Council for British Archaeology’s, Festival of Archaeology Digital Week. Derek and Lawrence are joined by CITiZAN Project Manager, Caroline​ Barrie‐Smith, Director of the Council for British Archaeology, Neil Redfern, Head of Environmental Strategy at Historic England, Dr Hannah Fluck and specialist in Pleistocene landscapes at the University of Southampton, Dr Rachel Bynoe.

The panel reflect on how climate change is affecting archaeology and the historic environment both in a positive and negative way and assess where the profession stands in the climate change crisis debate. The team finish off with a quick trip in the time machine which throws up some interesting questions.

This week’s pod sees a three-way conversation between presenters Derek Pitman, Lawrence Shaw and their guest Stu Eve. The three of them reflect on aspects of the news that week, space travel and archaeology and have a game of DomuTrumps (not a typo). We also get great insight into Stu’s career which ranges from setting up a commercial archaeology consultancy with his business partner to developing research around virtual reality and phenomenology.

In this Festival of British Archaeology special Career in Ruins gets a significant upgrade as Lawrence is joined by Neil Redfern (CEO, Council for British Archaeology) with a special guest appearance by Matt Williams (Time Team legend and RSPB reserves archaeologist) in Derek’s absence. The podcast was recorded on-location at RSPB Arne where the team explore the importance of archaeology against the backdrop of this year’s festival theme “exploring local places”. Lawrence, Neil and Matt discuss the many ways to celebrate and enjoy natural and cultural heritage and the opportunities for archaeologists to share local and hidden heritage with the wider public.

Hosted by Lawrence Shaw

Artwork by Ed Hudspeth

Sound production and theme tune by Guy Dowsett (Bucketofsound.com)