Transformations in Professional Archaeology

This collection contains the abstracts of the papers presented in the session entitled "Transformations in Professional Archaeology" at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Our profession is rapidly changing. Professional archaeology is currently amid a period of significant transformation. This symposium addresses the current changes in professional archaeology brought on by the effects of social justice movements, inclusion/diversity/equity initiatives, projected and current labor shortages in the private sector/consultant spaces, increased collaboration with descendant communities, prioritized safety in workplaces, disconnects between formal education/training and professional skills/responsibilities, our contribution to climate change, sustainability, and resiliency policy, infrastructure legislation and the effects on CRM/HRM industry, the focus on wellness in career management, the renewed emphasis on professional conduct and accountability, and changing views of mental health including substance use disorders. The impacts of the above, among other current issues, are resulting in a sea change for our profession and our careers. This session aims to give voice to some of these topics and the effect on the profession of archaeology—today and into the future. This is not a symposium about theoretical trends in archaeology but rather about the forces shaping professional archaeology today.