The ASPR is happy to be hosting a debate group starting this semester, Fall 2025! The group is organized by Pablo Gutiérrez de León, Clara Alexander, Marlena Billings, Hannah Hoffman, Fernando Casamayor Molina, Shireen Shah, Dylan Flicker, Ian S. Wilson, and Sophie Lei, and will discuss a range of themes, including archaeological theory, materiality, landscape archaeology, spatial archaeology, and more.
Participants
All people, regardless of their area of study, position, institution, age, religion, ethnic origin, gender identity, sexual orientation and political opinions, are welcomed into this debate group. Moreover, undergraduate students, graduate students and PhD students are, above all, encouraged to participate in this debate group in order to promote the free expression of ideas, academic thought and reflection from the early stages of their careers. In addition, postdoctoral fellows, principal investigators, professors and associates will also be welcomed.
Attendance
All meetings are in-person. To confirm attendance, send an email to asprdebategroup@HU.onmicrosoft.com subject: ‘Attendance Confirmation ASPR Archaeological Debate Group’. In the email body you should indicate your name and last name. You will be added to the group’s email list so you can be informed about future meetings, and vote/propose new texts. Please, also include if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies for food ordering.
Session Structure
- 10 min 🡪 Introduction (new participants, topic, events, etc.)
- 40/50 min 🡪 Debate
- 10 min 🡪 Final remarks (next meeting, group organization, etc.)
A referee aka “lore master” will be chosen at the beginning of each meeting amongst all the participants based on his/her knowledge about the text or willingness to guide the debate.
Texts can be proposed in the last 10 min of the meeting and by sending an email to asprdebategroup@HU.onmicrosoft.com. Generally, during the first half of week after the meeting everyone can propose a text for the next debate. By Wednesday a google form will be send to all the participants with all the proposed texts. People can vote which text they prefer, and the winner will be announced and sent by Monday.
Food and drinks will be available either in the format of a catering or a potluck. We would like to know if you have any allergies or food preferences based on your dietary restrictions, religion, etc. (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, lent…) before ordering food.
Meetings
- 9/25/25: Discussed Debate Group proposal, location, advertisement, and other logistical issues