You can write to ecataskforce@outlook.com and/or subscribe to our mailing list by clicking here. If you are already a member of the EAA you can also subscribe to the ECA Community through their website. You can also contact and interact with us, and members of the ECA Community by following our Facebook and Twitter pages.If you are an early career archaeologist who has felt the effects of these systemic issues on your career and wellbeing, or if you are concerned about the direction of the discipline and the wellbeing of your colleagues, then this community is for you. If you feel over-worked, under-paid and under-recognised, we are here to help. Join us and make an impact!

The ECA Community is not about age but status. Basically, we consider ECAs to be professionals who have not yet held a position of responsibility or authority within their institution, often marked by tenure. The European Research Council considers ‘starting’ researchers to be within 7 years of their PhD. But this definition only applies to the academic sector. The commercial and heritage sectors have different accreditation systems and career milestones. Even within academia, it is uncommon for archaeologists to hold a permanent job at PhD+7. Transitioning away from fixed-term contracts can be a massive headache. The ECA Community stands to help all those who plan to stay in archaeology long-term. If you feel like you have been discriminated at work and/or finding a post-doctoral position/job because of your age, we’d like to hear from you.

Navigating the post-doctoral job market can be tricky and frustrating. However, we have collated some useful links that should hopefully help with this process, reducing the time and stress you exert on job-hunting!

We also recommend signing up to the mailing lists of institutions and specialist disciplines of archaeology as fully funded PhDs, post-doctoral research positions, jobs, funding opportunities, conferences and workshops, and publications/published research are often circulated through them. The list of research institutions is not exhaustive; so, if you cannot find what you are looking for, we recommend also using the internet to try and find your local research institution and/or the most appropriate research institute in the region/country where your fieldwork and research is based.

Another useful resource is the Mentoring Program we are establishing which will provide a way of bringing ECAs together to help each other as a community.