Lessons In Advocacy: The International Space Station And The Archaeology Community

Summary

This is a paper/report submission presented at the 2020 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

The International Space Station (ISS) is a unique and critical resource for benefits to Earth and the future of space exploration. Since 1998, it is the only place in the universe where people can perform experiments where the absence of gravity is a new variable. But why bother? Why should the public care, and why should the government spend its money on this amazing orbiting laboratory? Archaeologists are explorers same as NASA scientists, engineers, and astronauts. Public opinion of these explorers is high, and are especially inspirational. However, ultimately consistent funding is subject to annual shifting policies, congressional budgets, and priorities. The ISS Program Science Office at NASA in Houston has spent the last decade developing a successful communication campaign to justify continued funding of the ISS to its stakeholders. This presentation will share NASA’s methods, examples, and outcomes that hopefully inspire the archaeological community to maximize its advocacy.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• 2020 SHA General Sessions   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2020

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 446