Fraser Sturt Lecturer in maritime archaeology, School of Humanities, Southampton University Job advertised in The Times Higher, April 29, 2005 Fraser Sturt has landed his dream job. As lecturer in maritime archaeology at Southampton University, he can spend large amounts of time outdoors, has regular opportunities to go diving and gets to be an academic as well.
"I've been in post for two months, and I'm having lots of fun," he said.
"The attractions? I love maritime things, but the closeness of the department to the National Oceanographic Centre was important. No other place offers such opportunities for collaboration. The group was keen for me not to replicate existing expertise, so I am free to do my own thing.
"One of the good things about Southampton is that new academic staff can apply for substantial start-up funding, which is brilliant. It certainly is not there at Cambridge University, where I worked previously."
Mr Sturt is researching the Solent area and the Isle of Wight. The area was part of a river system until the end of the last ice age, when rising sea levels cut the Isle of Wight off from the mainland. Mr Sturt is examining how local people adapted to rising sea levels.
He is keen to get community involvement in marine archaeology through open digs and schools outreach. He said: "Maritime archaeology, heritage and protection has lagged decades behind land-based archaeology. Outreach will increase visibility.
"Submerged cultural heritage is not very well protected, but it is as important as visible heritage. Outreach will help work towards legislative improvement from Westminster."
Martyn Bull