Presented by Professor John Schofield, Department of Archaeology, University of York; Visiting Fellow in Archaeology, Flinders University
A term that originates with NASA-funded research in the late 1960s, ‘wicked problems’ are those global challenges that are complex, intractable, open-ended and unpredictable. Solving them requires creative and often interdisciplinary solutions that include collaborating with industry and policymakers; a thorough understanding of the problem; and clear recognition of its complexities. Solutions will often take the form of small wins, defined as being ‘a series of concrete, complete outcomes of moderate importance that build a pattern that attracts allies and deters opponent. The strategy of small wins incorporates sound psychology and is sensitive to the pragmatics of policymaking’.
In this presentation, Professor John Schofield will talk about his new book on wicked problems, emphasizing how heritage studies and heritage practice – including archaeology – can contribute to helping resolve these problems in interesting and surprising ways, albeit through a ‘small wins’ framework. While the book topics are wide in scope, the focus here will be on the wicked problems of physical and mental health, planetary health and social injustice, and how an understanding of the relationships between these problems is vital to resolving them. He will also discuss whether archaeologists have a duty of care, a responsibility to use their particular skills and unique insight to help try to resolve these global challenges.
About the speaker. Professor John Schofield is Director of Studies in Cultural Heritage Management in the Archaeology Department at the University of York (UK). He also holds adjunct positions at Griffith University, is Docent in Contemporary Archaeology and Cultural Heritage at the University of Turku (Finland) and is currently at Flinders on a Research Fellowship. John is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, a Corresponding Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities and a Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. He has previously served as Executive Editor of the Taylor and Francis journal World Archaeology.
Following a PhD in archaeology at Southampton University, John spent 21 years in policy, heritage protection and research leadership with one of the UK’s lead heritage agencies, English Heritage (now Historic England). During this time, he developed an active research interest in contemporary archaeology as well as recognising the need for cultural heritage to be socially engaged. John was then appointed to the University of York in 2010, going on to serve as Head of Archaeology from 2012-2018.
John has published extensively on a diversity of topics relating to cultural heritage and contemporary archaeology. Much of this culminates in his new book Wicked Problems for Archaeologists: Heritage as Transformative Practice, published by Oxford University Press in May.
When: 5-8pm, Wednesday 5 June 2024
Where: Function Space, 1407, Level 14, Flinders University City Campus, Festival Tower, Festival Plaza, Adelaide SA
Registration: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1228904?