A paper presented by Hannah Cobb, December 2017, at the Theoretical Archaeology Conference in the session on Archaeology and Well Being

1. Seeing the Unseen
Presented December 2017, TAG Conference, Well-
Being Session
Hannah Cobb
University of Manchester
Hannah.Cobb@Manchester.ac.uk
@ArchaeoCobb

2. Aitchison and Rocks-MacQueen 2013: 93
@ArchaeoCobb

3. Aitchison and Rocks-MacQueen 2013: 98 & 99

4. The National Picture vs. The Profession
2011 Census
• Gender: 51% women, 49%
men
• Disability: 82% do not have a
limiting long term limiting
health problem or disability
that limited their daily
activities
• Ethnicity: 87% white, 7%
asian/asian british, 3 %
black/african/caribbean/black
british, 2% mixed, 1%
gypsy/traveller/irish
traveller/other
2012/13 Profiling the Profession
• Gender: 46% women, 54%
men
• Disability: 98.2% do not have
a limiting long term limiting
health problem or disability
that limited their daily
activities
• Ethnicity: 99.2% white, 0.1%
asian/asian british, 0.1 %
black/african/caribbean/black
british, 0.2% mixed, 0.3%
gypsy/traveller/irish
traveller/other

5. How representative is the diversity
data in Profiling the Profession?
@ArchaeoCobb

6. Digging Diversity
• Digging Diversity 1: 2011
– Small scale – 5% of the UK Archaeological
Workforce
– Self identification immediately reveals greater
diversity in all areas BUT confirms PtP stats
– Significant differences in diversity between
students and professionals
@ArchaeoCobb

7. Digging Diversity 1: Gender Identity
@ArchaeoCobb

8. Disability Professional Student
A chronic health condition 1
Anxiety 2
Asthma 2
Autistic Spectrum Disorder
(PDD)
1
Back injury 1
Chronic fatigue syndrome 1 1
Cognitive impairment 1
Crohn's Disease 1
Degenerative disc disease 1
Depression 2
Diabetes 1 1
Dyscalculia 1
Dysgraphics 1
Dyslexia 6 6
Dyspraxia 3 3
Epilepsy 3
Golfer's Elbow 1
Hearing impairment/loss 1 1
Hyperacusis 1
Disability Professional Student
Ischemic Heart Disease 1
Meniere's Disease 1
Mental illness 3
Missing left leg 1
Mobility problems 2
Moderate Cardiac Heart
Failure
1
Multiple Sclerosis 1
Myotonic Dystrophy 1
Myre Irlens Syndrome 1
Osteo-arthritis 1
Peripheral Neuropathy 1
Prefer not to specify 1
Scoliosis 1
Sleep disorder 1
Stress 1
Tetraplegic (C6) wheelchair
user
1
Tinnitus 1
Unstable Angina 1
Vestibular disorder 1

9. Digging Diversity
• Digging Diversity 1: 2011
– Small scale – 5% of the UK Archaeological
Workforce
– Self identification immediately reveals greater
diversity in all areas BUT confirms PtP stats
– Significant differences in diversity between
students and professionals
@ArchaeoCobb

10. Digging Diversity
• Digging Diversity 1: 2011
– Small scale – 5% of the UK Archaeological Workforce
– Self identification immediately reveals greater
diversity in all areas BUT confirms PtP stats
– Significant differences in diversity between students
and professionals
• Digging Diversity 2: 2017
– Expanded question set
– Broader reach in professionals – 12% of the UK
Archaeological Workforce
@ArchaeoCobb

11. Digging Diversity Caveats!
• Some modes of dissemination limit
participants
• Self selection = people with a greater interest
in diversity areas
• Student responses limited – only 292
• Professionals: 12% still fairly low
@ArchaeoCobb

12. Digging Diversity 2: Disability
• Do you have a disability?
• A disability is defined by the Equality Act 2010
as a physical or mental impairment that has a
‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on
your ability to do normal daily activities.
– ‘substantial’ is more than minor or trivial, eg it takes
much longer than it usually would to complete a daily
task like getting dressed
– ‘long-term’ means 12 months or more, eg a breathing
condition that develops as a result of a lung infection
@ArchaeoCobb

13. Digging Diversity 2: Disability
Do you have a disability?
Professionals Students
@ArchaeoCobb
No, 90%
Yes, 10%
No, 76%
Yes, 24%

14. @ArchaeoCobb
Disability Professional Student
ADHD 2
Ankylosing Spondilitis 1
Anxiety
3 2
Arnold Chiari Malformation
1
Arthritis 1 5
Asperger’s Syndrome 2 1
Asthma 1 1
Autism/Autistic spectrum disorder 3
Auto-immune condition/diseases 1 1
Bipolar Disorder 2
Bowel disorder 1
Cancer 1
chronic debilitating condition 1
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 2 2
Crohn's Disease 2
Delayed Gastric Emptying 1
Depression 2 4
Diabetes Type 1 3 1
Dyscalculia 1
Dyslexia 13 5
Dyspraxia 4 2
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome 1 1
Endometriosis 1
Epilepsy 2
Fibromyalgia 1 4
Head injury 1
Hearing impairment 1 4
IBS 1
Impaired walking and balance. 1
Disability Professional Student
Joint disorder 1
Learning disability 2
Leg disability 1 1
Back injury/chronic back
pain/spinal injury/neck injury
1 3
loss of manual dexterity 1
Meniere's Disease 1
Mental health issues 3 1
mild developmental disorder 1
Multiple Sclerosis 4 1
Musculo-skeletal condition 1
Myalgic Encephalopathy
(ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
1 5
No hands 1
Non-epileptic movement disorder 1
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 1
postural tachycardia syndrome 1
PTSD 1 2
RSI 1
food allergies 1
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease 1
Ulcerative Colitis 1
Pancreatitis 1
Visual impairment 7 2
Wheelchair user 1
Hermani Crania Continua 1
Headaches/Migraines 1 2

15. @ArchaeoCobb
Disability Professional Student
ADHD 2
Ankylosing Spondilitis 1
Anxiety
3 2
Arnold Chiari Malformation
1
Arthritis 1 5
Asperger’s Syndrome 2 1
Asthma 1 1
Autism/Autistic spectrum disorder 3
Auto-immune condition/diseases 1 1
Bipolar Disorder 2
Bowel disorder 1
Cancer 1
chronic debilitating condition 1
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 2 2
Crohn's Disease 2
Delayed Gastric Emptying 1
Depression 2 4
Diabetes Type 1 3 1
Dyscalculia 1
Dyslexia 13 5
Dyspraxia 4 2
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome 1 1
Endometriosis 1
Epilepsy 2
Fibromyalgia 1 4
Head injury 1
Hearing impairment 1 4
IBS 1
Impaired walking and balance. 1
Disability Professional Student
Joint disorder 1
Learning disability 2
Leg disability 1 1
Back injury/chronic back
pain/spinal injury/neck injury
1 3
loss of manual dexterity 1
Meniere's Disease 1
Mental health issues 3 1
mild developmental disorder 1
Multiple Sclerosis 4 1
Musculo-skeletal condition 1
Myalgic Encephalopathy
(ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
1 5
No hands 1
Non-epileptic movement disorder 1
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 1
postural tachycardia syndrome 1
PTSD 1 2
RSI 1
food allergies 1
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease 1
Ulcerative Colitis 1
Pancreatitis 1
Visual impairment 7 2
Wheelchair user 1
Hermani Crania Continua 1
Headaches/Migraines 1 2

16. Digging Diversity 2: Disability
Do you have a physical or mental condition that
you do not define as a disability using the
definition above but that may affect you on a
recurring or fluctuating basis?
@ArchaeoCobb

17. Digging Diversity 2: Disability
Do you have a physical or mental condition that
you do not define as a disability using the
definition above but that may affect you on a
recurring or fluctuating basis?
Professionals Students
@ArchaeoCobb
No, 57%
Yes, 43%
No, 68%
Yes, 32%

18. @ArchaeoCobb
Disability Professional Student
ADHD 1
Ankylosing Spondilitis, 1
Anxiety 38 44
Arthritis 12 2
Aspergers Syndrome 3
Asthma 12 1
Autism/Austistic spectrum disorder 1
Back and Neck Pain (including slipped
disc/back conditions)
11 3
Bipolar Disorder 2 2
Burns 1
Cardiovascular Disease 1
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 1
Charcot Marie Tooth disease 1
Chronic Pain 2 1
Circadian rhythm disorder 1
Coeliac 2
COPD 1
Costochondritis 1
CPPD 1
De Quervain's Syndrome 1
Depression 71 47
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) 2 2
Dislocations 1
Dyslexia 12 5
Dyspraxia 2 2
Eating Disorder 1 1
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome 1
Endometriosis 1 3
Epilepsy 1
Excessive Sweating 1
Fibromyalgia 3
Gluten intolerance 1
Heart defect 1
Hearing impairment 5 3
Hernia 1
High Blood Pressure 1
Hyperextension 1
Disability Professional Student
Hypermobility 3 1
Hyperthyroid 1
IBS 5
Insomnia 1
Joint Pain1/Joint disorder 1 1
Kidney Stones 1
Knee Disorder 5
Low Blood Pressure 1
Lung condition 1
M.E 2
Memory Recall 1
Menopause 1
Mental health issues 7 2
Metabolic condition 1
Migraine/Headache 8 3
Nerve Problems 1
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 2 3
PCOS 1
Period Pain 1
Personality Disorder (including
borderline personality disorder)
3
PMDD 1
postural orthostatic tachycardia
syndrome
1
Prosopgnosia (Face Blindeness) 1
Psychosis 1
PTSD 3 5
Pulmonary sarcoidosis 1
punctate choroidal retinopathy 1
Raynauds Syndrome 2
RSI 1
Sciatica 1 1
Scoliosis 1
Shoulder Disorder 2 1
SLE (Systematic Lupus) 1
Speech impediment 1
Stress 3 2
Upper limb disorder 2 1
Visual impairment 1

19. @ArchaeoCobb
Disability Professional Student
ADHD 1
Ankylosing Spondilitis, 1
Anxiety 38 44
Arthritis 12 2
Aspergers Syndrome 3
Asthma 12 1
Autism/Austistic spectrum disorder 1
Back and Neck Pain (including slipped
disc/back conditions)
11 3
Bipolar Disorder 2 2
Burns 1
Cardiovascular Disease 1
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 1
Charcot Marie Tooth disease 1
Chronic Pain 2 1
Circadian rhythm disorder 1
Coeliac 2
COPD 1
Costochondritis 1
CPPD 1
De Quervain's Syndrome 1
Depression 71 47
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) 2 2
Dislocations 1
Dyslexia 12 5
Dyspraxia 2 2
Eating Disorder 1 1
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome 1
Endometriosis 1 3
Epilepsy 1
Excessive Sweating 1
Fibromyalgia 3
Gluten intolerance 1
Heart defect 1
Hearing impairment 5 3
Hernia 1
High Blood Pressure 1
Hyperextension 1
Disability Professional Student
Hypermobility 3 1
Hyperthyroid 1
IBS 5
Insomnia 1
Joint Pain1/Joint disorder 1 1
Kidney Stones 1
Knee Disorder 5
Low Blood Pressure 1
Lung condition 1
M.E 2
Memory Recall 1
Menopause 1
Mental health issues 7 2
Metabolic condition 1
Migraine/Headache 8 3
Nerve Problems 1
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 2 3
PCOS 1
Period Pain 1
Personality Disorder (including
borderline personality disorder)
3
PMDD 1
postural orthostatic tachycardia
syndrome
1
Prosopgnosia (Face Blindeness) 1
Psychosis 1
PTSD 3 5
Pulmonary sarcoidosis 1
punctate choroidal retinopathy 1
Raynauds Syndrome 2
RSI 1
Sciatica 1 1
Scoliosis 1
Shoulder Disorder 2 1
SLE (Systematic Lupus) 1
Speech impediment 1
Stress 3 2
Upper limb disorder 2 1
Visual impairment 1

20. Mental Health
Professionals
• 1.2% of professionals in the
study reporting a mental
health issue as a disability
• 12.3% of professionals in
the study reporting a
mental health issue as a
recurring or fluctuating
condition
Students
• 4.1% of students in the
study reporting a mental
health issue as a disability
• 6.1% students in the study
reporting a mental health
issue as a recurring or
fluctuating condition
@ArchaeoCobb

21. Understanding more about
Mental Health in the Profession
@ArchaeoCobb

22. Mental Health and Employment Status
Professionals with a mental
health issue
• Average (mean) Wage
£25,335
• 17% Self employed
• 17% Part Time
• 28% Temporary
• 17% in managerial positions
• 20% With children
• 10% With other care
responsibilities
Professionals without a mental
health issue
• Average (mean) Wage
£40,284
• 13% Self employed
• 16.5% Part Time
• 18% Temporary
• 34% in managerial positions
• 33% With children
• 9% With other care
responsibilities
@ArchaeoCobb

23. Mental Health and Employment Status
Professionals with a mental
health issue
Professionals without a mental
health issue
@ArchaeoCobb
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Museum
freelance
Third Sector
National Government
Local Authority
Academia
Private Sector/Commercial
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Freelance
Museum
National Government
Third Sector
Local Authority
Academia
Private Sector/Commercial

24. Mental Health and Age
Professionals with a mental
health issue
Professionals without a mental
health issue
@ArchaeoCobb
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
0% 5% 10% 15% 20%
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70 or above

25. Mental Health and Personal Identity
Professionals with a mental
health issue
• 3% Identifying with a non
binary or transgender
identity
• Greater diversity in sexuality
Professionals without a mental
health issue
• 0.4% Identifying with a non
binary or transgender
gender identity
• Predominantly heterosexual
@ArchaeoCobb
Homosexual,
5%
Bisexual, 23%
Heterosexual,
71%
Homosexual,
5%
Bisexual, 6%
Heterosexual,
90%

26. Mental Health and other conditions
Professionals
• 23 of the 102 (22.5%) of
professionals in the study
reporting a mental health
issue as a disability OR as a
recurring or fluctuating
condition, had another
disability or recurring or
fluctuating condition
Students
• 11 of the 26 (42.3%) of
students in the study
reporting a mental health
issue as a disability OR as a
recurring or fluctuating
condition, had another
disability or recurring or
fluctuating condition
@ArchaeoCobb

27. “I have chronic pain from several joint fractures,
exacerbated by working in archaeology. I suffer
from recurrent debilitating migraines. I struggle
with depression. But, aside from a diagnosis and
brief course of treatment over 10 years ago, I
have never told anybody. Not even my partner
who also has health issues, and we're both
working multiple roles to pay the bills. I can't
afford to be ill. I can't afford to acknowledge the
problem.”
@ArchaeoCobb

28. Mental Health in Archaeology:
A Summary
People with a Mental Health Condition in
Archaeology are more likely to…
• Be in junior and lower paid posts
• Have insecure employment status
• Be between 25 and 39 (but in all age categories)
• More likely to identify with a non-binary gender
and sexuality
• 1 in 5 will have another condition
@ArchaeoCobb

29. MIND’s guidance for promoting mental
wellbeing in the workplace
• Five ways to wellbeing: Connect, be active, take notice,
learn, give
• Top tips for wellbeing at work: Reclaim your lunch
break, organise a picnic, hold a group activity, take up a
challenge, whistle while you work
• Getting the work-life balance right: make overtime the
exception not the norm, create clear boundaries
between work and home, start a to do list, wind down
on the commute home, ask for help
• Wellness Action Plans – for all employees, not just
those with Mental Health issues
@ArchaeoCobb

30. What archaeological workplaces can
do
• Breakdown the taboos around mental health!
Talk about it!
• Mental health first aid
• Mental health awareness training
• Wellness Action Plans
• Mentoring
• Take your own workplace diversity surveys
@ArchaeoCobb

31. • Changes within CIfA’s own practice (code of conduct, group constitutions),
contributed to CIfA Ethics practice paper, statements on conference
accessibility and panel guidance
• Connecting with other bodies e.g. Prospect and RICs - training and insights
• Mental Health first aid workshop(s)
• Unconscious Bias training
• Other CPD sessions to support good practice in Equality and Diversity
• Conference sessions and individual contributions
• Developing accessibility guidance for hard copy and online documentation
• Working Party developing CIfA guidance for disabled employees.
• Representing different voices - guest blogs on our website.
• Website as a hub of information
• Supporting the TrowelBlazers Raising Horizons exhibition.

32. Conclusion: Where is the theory?!