Research Proposal Protocol
At SHARP we are always interested in new research and supporting the set-up of new projects. These can come from individuals or groups, and although we prefer academic and research projects with research questions, other types of projects are also welcome. These might include 3D scanning of objects or art projects, especially those which would help us improve public dissemination and wider education.
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We will do our best to facilitate all research projects or proposals, but the protocol below allows us to best help those proposing research, while ensuring we have the facilities, team, and finances to support these projects.
The SHARP Excavation & Research Protocol
Any planned excavation or other research projects are assessed by the Archaeology and Research Working Group to ensure that the projects are affordable, there is a suitable research question or aim, a well-considered methodology, and that there is a system in place to ensure any results are well recorded before being published (either academically and/or internally through reports, blogs and web reports).
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We will accept proposals for a wide range of research from anyone interested in undertaking the research, not just from academics. This includes excavations (both large and small) within the parish of Sedgeford, other types of fieldwork such as surveys, and proposals to work with our archives (finds, environmental, or human remains). We are also happy to accept proposals from all types of students.
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Even if you know the teams or individuals at SHARP involved with the archive material, i.e. our human remains or finds teams, please ensure that the proposal is sent to our Research Working Group to be reviewed .
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If the research proposal is for a dissertation topic the working group will endeavour to process the proposal as quickly as possible. However please get in touch with us as soon as possible, this may need to be sooner than your degree or masters programme would normally start to look at dissertations topics.​​​​
How are Research Proposals considered?
When a proposal is submitted to the group, they will be initially assessed. If the project involves specialisms outside the remit of those in the working group these will then be sent to others in the SHARP project, or even wider afield if it’s a particularly specialist subject. The aim will be to get a review of the contents and general feedback about the project proposed.
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The working group will then examine and discuss the proposal in more detail. This may include asking team members that will need to be involved about their availability, and also a discussion with the finance working group about any costs. After this it will be sent to the wider committee and trustees for approval. The working group may provide a recommendation, but the final decision on any research proposal will be made by the SHARP Committee.
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If a proposal is accepted, then the working group will assist with the project by providing contacts within SHARP. Larger projects may need to be scheduled into the next or following working season. At this stage SHARP will require any loan forms for archive materials or equipment to be filled in.
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Any excavation work will be expected to be recorded at SHARP's usual high standard and these records will then be digitised (so they can be worked on beyond the season). The original physical archive be that paper or digital media must remain on site at SHARP, and copies can only be removed from the site after the season.
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A report should be prepared for SHARP and the HER, preferably within a year from the excavation. For other types of projects, once complete, we will require a copy of any dissertations or reports related to SHARP's material, along with any raw data. The researcher will retain rights to publish their data but we ask that SHARP be fully acknowledged in any publications produced by the researcher. Likewise, SHARP will maintain a right to publish the data with the researcher fully credited and acknowledged. We may also ask for you to write a blog or research webpage to share your work with the wider public, or perhaps share the results at one of our Tuesday night lectures.​​​​​​
SHARP Archive
SHARP, as well as its physical copies of paperwork, has an online post-excavation archive that holds the digital paperwork from the various excavations. When a project is agreed, access to this archive will be provided.
We also have a physical archive with the finds from our various excavations and access to this can be arranged as part of any research proposal. This is easier during an excavation season, but we are able to arrange access out of season, or loans of some material.
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If you would like to check what we hold in the archive prior to making a full application, or to provide more information for an application, please email the research team who should be able to help.
What should I include in my proposal?
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Introduction and background to the proposed project including other known similar projects or potential case studies.
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Research question and clear objectives of the project.
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A detailed methodology.
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If the project is involving a team of people, for example an excavation, please indicate the people involved and their roles within the project. If you will need the help of SHARP's team, and/or post-ex specialists please indicate who and what you are requesting as we will need to ensure they have the time to help (i.e. finds team to clean, record and produce a finds report).
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Indication of the archive material or equipment you may require. Please indicate if you are planning on taking any archive material or equipment off-site and out of the parish. If so please indicate how they will be cared for and returned at the end of the research with an estimated timescale.
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A budget. This is especially important if you are expecting SHARP to fund aspects of the project, such as hire of excavator for archaeology. The number of team and weeks the project will be ongoing should be budgeted here. If you are expecting to get funding for part of the project please indicate that as well.
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Describe about how the information will be published or reported back, both academically but also to the wider public.
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Include a bit about yourself, your background, and if you are a student indicate any academic support you may have.
Possible Research Projects
During the years of excavation at SHARP we have built up a huge assemblage of materials that would be ideal for research projects big and small. Below are just a few examples of possible projects, including ones that we are looking to assign to assist with future publications. If you are interested please get in touch and we can provide more information. These projects are more likely to be approved quickly as they already fit into our current research agenda. More will be added to the list soon as the research group is currently working through our archive and publication aims.
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Analysis and comparison of charred plant remains from the Early Medieval settlement.
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Comparison with contemporary settlements.
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Comparison with malting complex, differences in use.
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Examination to see whether germinated grain found, indicating storage from malting complex.
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Local environment.
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Charcoal analysis of remains from the Early Medieval malting complex, to identify the fuel used during malting.
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Analysis of the clay floors and daub of the kilns to determine number, and likely sources.
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Analysis and comparison of charred plant remains from the Early Medieval malting complex, between different parts of the site.
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Grains used in malting, particularly for kilns 4 and 5.
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Levels in germination particularly for kilns 4 and 5.
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Examination of other flavourings.
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For details on our past and ongoing excavations, visit our Excavations page. Or visit Early Medieval Malting Trench for more specific information on our ongoing excavations on our maltings site.
How to Submit a Research Proposal?
To approach us with a research proposal, please email your proposals to bookings@sharp.org.uk with the title 'Research Proposal' and it will be passed on to the research group.
Please attach the research proposal in a separate word, open, or pdf document for assessment and include all relevant information, data, and photos in this document. For what to include, please see section above.
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If there is a tight schedule to your proposal please indicate this when you send it and we will do our best to process it quickly.
Useful Resources
SHARP Equipment/Archive Loan and Research Contract Form (to be completed once projects are approved)
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Other links that can help with writing proposals. These are more specifically for dissertation or university proposals but the basics can be transferred:
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https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/study-skills/research/methods/proposal
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https://www.geog.ox.ac.uk/study/graduate/apply/research_proposal.html