Steph Piper, Lecturer in Archaeology, Department of Archaeology
Steph is a Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of York, and recently a YESI Discipline Hopping Fellow on the ‘Craftwell’ project.
Steph specialises in coastal archaeology, and hunting and gathering societies in prehistory, with a particular interest in how they may have responded to changes in the climate and environment.
email: stephanie.piper@york.ac.uk
Our 60-second interview with Steph:
Could you please tell us what work you do in the field of mental health?
As a YESI Discipline Hopping Fellow on the ‘Craftwell’ project, I ran outdoor crafting workshops recreating archaeological objects at the York Experimental Archaeology Research (YEAR) Centre. This project aims to investigate how outdoor heritage crafts may benefit mental health and wellbeing. I have also been looking into the ways in which archaeology can be used to try to mitigate the effects of climate ‘doomism’ among young people.
What do you find most rewarding and inspiring in this work?
Engaging people with archaeology and heritage through hands-on activities is what I love most about this work, and how this can change perceptions about people’s lives in the past. In turn, this may help people to think differently about their own life.
What is the most challenging or complicated aspect of this work?
Assumptions that archaeology does not have a role to play in the present day can be a challenge, when in reality it integrates with so many aspects of contemporary issues and challenges.
What impact do you hope your work is having - or can potentially have?
I hope that by sharing the skills and knowledge of past societies – whether this is through creative crafts or teaching – it can help people to reflect on their place in the world, to bring positive changes for themselves or others.
Could you share with us one piece of advice that you follow for your own mental health?
Try to get outside into a green space and focus on what is around you. Connecting with the outdoors is important to me, whether it is for exercise, or just a wander around a park or garden - I love to watch how the natural world changes with the seasons.