Personal Statement for masters
Hi guys, so if anyone fancies reading through and then adding comments or suggestions, please do. :)
My interest in Public archaeology stems in part from my work experience before beginning my undergraduate degree, when I worked in various media sectors. Then in my second year of study I discovered public archaeology as a subject by taking the core course, and found I had an interest in how archaeology interacts with the public. I then focused my dissertation on how Egypt has been portrayed in western cinema looking at how cinema may have influenced the public, and also how the public and events in archaeology influenced the cinema. Also as an undergraduate I had the opportunity to work at Buendia, an upper Palaeolithic site in central Spain run by Ignacio de la Torre which sparked my interest in lithics and palaeoanthropology.
Studying Egyptian Archaeology at UCL has enabled me to discover new areas of interest as well as refining those I had already. It also allowed me to develop a broad foundation in archaeology and a critical appreciation of academic issues. My main interests now are:
• How the archaeology relates to the public and retains interest through museums and education.
• Archaeology in Eastern Africa and what the museums are doing to encourage local interest.
• Lithics and Palaeoanthropology, in particular human evolution and the public awareness of these subjects.
• Digitisation of archaeological research to enable easier access to other researchers and the public.
I am especially interested in the MA in Public Archaeology at UCL because I feel it will enable me to combine my interests as well as offering both academic study and more practical development. I am interested in taking course options such as Managing Museums, Digitisation and Museums, Palaeoanthropology and Advanced Human Evolution as well as the core course in Public Archaeology.
I am currently working as a graduate attachee to the British Institute in Eastern Africa based in Nairobi, Kenya. This opportunity has enabled me to work on varied projects around Eastern Africa, including archaeological fieldwork in Southern Sudan as part of a wider environmental and social impact assessment for a planned hydroelectric dam; digitising information held by the BIEA to create an archaeological archive; helping the Ugandan museum improve the organisation of their archaeological storage; and updating displays at the Kapenguria Museum in Kenya to make them more accessible to the public.
I believe that taking this course of further study will help me to engage in debate relating to public archaeology and improve upon the skills I gained from studying at undergraduate level at UCL’s Institute of Archaeology. I feel that not only will the course benefit my aims for the future, but that I will also bring my experience, knowledge and ideas in discussion for the benefit of the others on my course. My time in Africa has taught me much about public archaeology and I would like to learn more so in the future I can bring my skills back to Africa to make a real difference in the industry and society of heritage.
My interest in Public archaeology stems in part from my work experience before beginning my undergraduate degree, when I worked in various media sectors. Then in my second year of study I discovered public archaeology as a subject by taking the core course, and found I had an interest in how archaeology interacts with the public. I then focused my dissertation on how Egypt has been portrayed in western cinema looking at how cinema may have influenced the public, and also how the public and events in archaeology influenced the cinema. Also as an undergraduate I had the opportunity to work at Buendia, an upper Palaeolithic site in central Spain run by Ignacio de la Torre which sparked my interest in lithics and palaeoanthropology.
Studying Egyptian Archaeology at UCL has enabled me to discover new areas of interest as well as refining those I had already. It also allowed me to develop a broad foundation in archaeology and a critical appreciation of academic issues. My main interests now are:
• How the archaeology relates to the public and retains interest through museums and education.
• Archaeology in Eastern Africa and what the museums are doing to encourage local interest.
• Lithics and Palaeoanthropology, in particular human evolution and the public awareness of these subjects.
• Digitisation of archaeological research to enable easier access to other researchers and the public.
I am especially interested in the MA in Public Archaeology at UCL because I feel it will enable me to combine my interests as well as offering both academic study and more practical development. I am interested in taking course options such as Managing Museums, Digitisation and Museums, Palaeoanthropology and Advanced Human Evolution as well as the core course in Public Archaeology.
I am currently working as a graduate attachee to the British Institute in Eastern Africa based in Nairobi, Kenya. This opportunity has enabled me to work on varied projects around Eastern Africa, including archaeological fieldwork in Southern Sudan as part of a wider environmental and social impact assessment for a planned hydroelectric dam; digitising information held by the BIEA to create an archaeological archive; helping the Ugandan museum improve the organisation of their archaeological storage; and updating displays at the Kapenguria Museum in Kenya to make them more accessible to the public.
I believe that taking this course of further study will help me to engage in debate relating to public archaeology and improve upon the skills I gained from studying at undergraduate level at UCL’s Institute of Archaeology. I feel that not only will the course benefit my aims for the future, but that I will also bring my experience, knowledge and ideas in discussion for the benefit of the others on my course. My time in Africa has taught me much about public archaeology and I would like to learn more so in the future I can bring my skills back to Africa to make a real difference in the industry and society of heritage.