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The Fear and Joy Project
A project exploring the landscape of the heritage and archaeology profession. Developing tools for resilience, community, and change.
Introduction to the Project
Archaeology is a profession in flux. We carry small fears, quiet pressures, and moments of uncertainty. We also experience deep joy, connection, discovery, and belonging.
The Fear and Joy Project aims to create a safe, accessible space for practitioners from all part of the profession to explore these experiences, and share their stories. The project aims to use practitioner insight to build a sector‑wide toolkit for healthier workplace culture.
This project includes:
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(TBC) A CPD‑accredited webinar series
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The Joy Library (anonymous stories of nourishment)
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The Fear Vault (anonymous stories of challenge)
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The Healing Journey Archive (personal reflections from the curator)
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The developing Fear and Joy Solutions Kit
All contributions are anonymous. All materials are accessible. Everyone is welcome.
The button below will take you to an accessible project overview document. It will open in a new window as a Google Document.
The Fear and Joy Project began at the EAA2025 workshop, where practitioners shared fears, joys, challenges, and hopes for the future of archaeology. Those conversations revealed shared experiences across commercial, academic, and advisory practice.
This project continues that work by creating spaces where practitioners can:
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Reflect safely,
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Share anonymously,
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Build resilience,
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Support each other, and
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Contribute to a sector‑wide toolkit for change
What You’ll Find Here:
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The Webinar Series
Three CPD‑accredited sessions exploring small fears, joy, and collaborative toolkit building.
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The Joy Library
A collection of anonymous stories celebrating joy, nourishment, discovery, and connection.
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The Fear Vault
A protected, anonymous space where practitioners share fears, barriers, and challenges.
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The Healing Journey Archive
Personal reflections, shared openly to help others feel less alone.
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The Solutions Kit
A developing resource built from practitioner contributions, designed to support resilience and healthier workplace culture.
Accessibility and Safety
The Fear and Joy Project is committed to providing a safe and accessible environment for all practitioners. Explore our resources for safety, community standards, and holistic support.
This project is designed to be accessible for:
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Screen readers
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Dyslexic readers
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Neurodivergent users
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People with hand mobility challenges
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People seeking anonymous participation
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People navigating emotional content
Every page includes grounding prompts, content notes, and skip‑friendly design. If you spot anything which is inaccessible on our page or in our materials please let us know via the contact form below.
Links will open Google Documents in a new window for you to review.
Further details on the approach of the Fear and Joy Project to accessibility and emotional safety can be found on our accessibility and emotional safety page along with more document resources. Follow the link below to find the page.
Share anonymously
These submissions are anonymous.
You can pause, take a breath, or stop at any time. Only share what feels safe for you today.
Share a moment of joy, pride, connection, or meaning from your heritage work. Big or small, quiet or loud. Every moment helps build the Joy Library and reminds our sector of what sustains us.
Share a fear, worry, pressure, or uncertainty you experience in your heritage work. Your words will be added anonymously to the Fear Vault, helping us understand the emotional realities of the sector with care and honesty.
Share creative work inspired by your heritage practice (writing, artwork, audio, or media). This space is fully anonymous and welcomes reflective, expressive, or experimental pieces that speak to your experience.
Share a solution, insight, or small change that would have helped you, or could help others, navigate fear or access joy. Your ideas, no matter how everyday, help build a toolkit shaped by real practitioner experience.
The project has forms set up to easily, safely, and anonymously record your stories. These are the best and easiest ways to submit to us.
However, we recognise that different people have different needs.
You can submit this reflection workbook using the online form, upload a file through the Media Submission Form, or email your worksheet directly to the project inbox.
The Media Submission Form accepts pdf, word documents, photos of written notes, audio, or artwork.
Remember, you are in control. You can submit as much or as little as you want — there is no required format or length.
Connect with the Project
We value your perspective. Share your stories, questions, or reflections with us.
Any content submitted via the contact form will be anonymised before being posted to the site.