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Museum archaeological collections (physical artefact and archive collections, both on display and in store, and digital collections) are a significant component of our national heritage, and a primary point of engagement for the public with the results of archaeological fieldwork. Despite the well documented pressures that museums face in terms of diminishing storage space, staff reductions and loss of expertise, enabling access to and use of archaeological collections remains a core function for most museums. Although some studies have been conducted on the types of use of archaeological collections, there is no comprehensive evidence base to demonstrate the nature and amount of use of archaeological collections by both individuals and groups.

The Future for the Archaeological Archives Programme recommends that the SMA, working with Historic England and Arts Council England should monitor and assess the access and use of archaeological archives and collections held by museums. The SMA have been awarded funding by Historic England to carry out such an assessment working in partnership
with c. 20 organisations to quantify the use of their archaeological collections. Working with a cross section of organisations over a period of two and a half years will allow the collection of data in real time with the ability to track emerging trends over a sustained period of time. This paper will introduce the project, take you through why it is needed and the overall aims and objectives. It will also outline the methodology, the logistics of carrying out such a project and key time frames.

Aisling Nash is an experienced Historic Environment professional with substantial project management experience. In a career spanning two decades, she has worked in the museum sector, commercial archaeology, local authority advisory roles and consultancy. She has extensive experience of managing and delivering sector-wide research and knowledge-sharing projects funded by Historic England such as ‘Assessing the Value of Community Generated Research’, a feasibility study on Heritage Crime training in addition to training the sector in OASIS V. Aisling has also previously worked with the SMA organising knowledge-sharing workshops as part of the SMART programme.