Peter Ucko Memorial Lecture and Award

Following Peter Ucko’s untimely death in June 2007 the WAC Executive asked the CEO to convene a small working group of long-term members to develop proposals for a Memorial Lecture and Award*. At its meeting In Melbourne, Australia in October 2007 the Executive considered a report from this working group and endorsed its proposal to instigate a Peter Ucko Memorial Lecture and Award in recognition of the unique contribution that Peter made to WAC and world archaeology.

Subject to formal Assembly approval, the Lecture and Award will be organised by a single Peter Ucko Memorial Committee appointed by the WAC Executive (Terms of Reference below).

Peter Ucko Memorial Lecture

The Peter Ucko Memorial Lecture will be presented during every major WAC Congress at a time when no other academic or social events are timetabled. The Lecture will normally be chaired by the President of WAC.

The lecture will be given by an individual chosen by the Peter Ucko Memorial Committee and will normally be expected to be a member of WAC. Those approached to present the Lecture will normally be highly regarded in their field and would be expected to have shown a commitment to archaeology as envisaged by WAC and its principles. The lecture will be on any topic, relevant to WAC, agreed between the Memorial Committee and the individual approached.

It will normally be expected that the Lecturer will be attending, or wishing to attend, the WAC Congress. If necessary the Memorial Committee will seek to cover costs of registration, travel, and accommodation.

Peter Ucko Memorial Award

The Peter Ucko Memorial Award will be presented at every major WAC Congress.

The Award will be presented to an individual at whatever stage of their career, and whether or not they have followed a traditional academic path, who has made a significant contribution to archaeology as envisaged by WAC.

The Memorial Committee will call for nominations for the Award, from members of WAC, six months before the Congress at which the Award is to be presented. Every effort will be made to ensure a number of nominations from the WAC Region where the congress is to be held.

Nominations must be made on the official Nomination Form which should be sent to a person to be determined. The recipient for the Award will be chosen by the Memorial Committee whose decision is final. The Memorial Committee will not enter into communication over its decision.

The Award will normally be presented to the recipient, by the President of WAC, immediately before the Memorial Lecture. The President will normally present a short resume of the achievements of the recipient and the recipient will be allowed a brief response.

It will normally be expected that the recipient will be attending, or wishing to attend, the WAC Congress. If necessary the Memorial Committee will seek to cover costs of registration, travel, and accommodation.

Relationship between the Peter Ucko Memorial Lecture and Award

There will normally be no direct link between the Lecture and Award and the two should be conceived of and considered separately: although it is possible that the lecturer could receive the Award.

****PLEASE NOTE  The deadline for receipt of nomination for the Peter Ucko Memorial Award to be presented at WAC-7 is TBA

Terms and Conditions of the Peter Ucko Memorial Committee

1. The Committee will be appointed by the WAC Executive.
2. The Committee will normally not comprise more than eight members who should, in the first instance be made up of those who knew Peter Ucko.
3. The Committee should reflect the global nature and membership of WAC and will always include at least one representative of indigenous peoples.
4. All members of the Committee will be paid-up members of WAC.
5. In the first instance, half of the Committee would be appointed for a period of eight years and half appointed for a period of four years. After this membership would be for eight years. The Committee will normally work by email although, while there is no obligation to do so, it is expected that it will meet during major WAC Congresses.
6. The Committee will elect its own Chair and Secretary.
7. The Committee will provide a short report on its activities to the Executive to coincide with the Executive’s business meeting immediately before every major WAC Congress. This report may suggest new names for appointment to the Committee.

NB In the first instance, and until the formal approval of the WAC Assembly, the Executive Working Group set up to develop the idea of the Lecture and Award will carry out the duties and function of this Committee.

* This group comprised George Abungu, Cressida Fforde, Bayo Folorunso, Jack Golson, Jane Hubert, Robert Layton, Arek Marciniack, Gustavo Politis, Claire Smith, and Peter Stone