A Practitioner's Guide to Public Archaeology: Intentional Programming for Effective Outreach

Many archaeologists learn by trial and error while developing public programs and events and are mostly unaware that others in the profession are undergoing the same challenges. Archaeologists seldom receive professional development on K-12 pedagogy, public engagement, program design, or assessment. For many in the field, public outreach is often an under-funded and under-resourced extension of an already overwhelming workload; yet this work is incredibly important.

In A Practitioner's Guide to Public Archaeology: Intentional Programming for Effective Outreach, more than thirty public archaeology practitioners will help you reduce the guesswork and stress behind program planning in this engaging and reader-friendly handbook. A complement to the growing library of public archaeology publications, the authors exclusively focus on key components of planning, implementing, and assessing public archaeology programming. Learn how to connect with your audience; build an accessibility mindset; create intentional goals and outcomes; identify resources, collaborators, and other logistical needs; and conduct assessments to better understand your impact. Discover ideas and techniques for all ages programming, like public excavations, site tours, festivals, and lectures; K-12 presentations and events, including formal and nonformal educational programs that occur inside and outside of a classroom; and community-based heritage management programs that include those designed for recurring participation by active, trained volunteers. Throughout the book, curated case study excerpts provide a diversity of perspectives and offer practical insights. The book concludes with a collection of logistics templates and real-world examples to help you streamline your program preparation.

Drawing from decades of experience, you'll discover guidance on navigating challenges, celebrating successes, and lessons learned. Whether you are new to public archaeology or a seasoned expert, this book offers valuable insights for all practitioners.

Elizabeth C. Reetz received an MA in Landscape Archaeology from the University of Galway and an M.Ed. in Environmental Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth. As director of strategic initiatives for the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA), Reetz supervises statewide outreach, engagement, and education initiatives, often in collaboration with Midwest descendant communities and Tribal Nations. She served on the Project Archaeology Leadership Team and as chairperson for the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) Public Education Committee. Her OSA Education and Outreach Program received the 2023 SAA Excellence in Public Programming Award.

Stephanie T. Sperling earned a BA in Anthropology from Pennsylvania State University and a Masters of Applied Anthropology from the University of Maryland. Her career has been spent in the Middle Atlantic region, with roles in cultural resource management, non-profits (including the position of director of archaeological research for the Lost Towns Project of Anne Arundel County, Maryland), and local governments, where she served as senior archaeologist for the Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County, Maryland. Throughout her career, Sperling led community excavations and tours of diverse sites including ancient Indigenous camps, colonial plantations, and twentieth-century segregated beach resorts. She designed countless innovative and collaborative archaeological outreach programs aimed at promoting conversation, stewardship, and preservation.