Non-intrusive conservation focussed monitoring of underwater cultural heritage by the public -Gathering Information via Recreational and Technical (GIRT) Scientific Divers
Dublin Core
Title
Non-intrusive conservation focussed monitoring of underwater cultural heritage by the public -Gathering Information via Recreational and Technical (GIRT) Scientific Divers
Description
The no-impact maritime archaeological conservation-focused citizen science program Gathering Information via
Recreational and Technical (GIRT) Scientific Divers formally started in January 2019, after an approximately
six-month pilot project in South Australia. GIRT Scientific Divers was designed and developed to encourage
interested people, businesses, and groups to have an active and positive underwater archaeology role. Launching
in New Zealand and across Australia, GIRT has expanded to include members in ten countries. From a 2020/21
survey of member motivations and characteristics, GIRT has been demonstrated to be a gateway into maritime
archaeology for previously non-engaged individuals. However, GIRT is very much still an evolving citizen
science program, and this paper discusses some of the key learning outcomes the author has gained from
developing and training members of the public in GIRT over the last five and half years. The paper candidly
looks at challenges experienced by GIRT to maintain an engaged and active membership specifically addressing
the key issues of time and funding, IT, the andragogical methodology used, and survey structure and complexity.
Lastly, drawing from recent training activities in late 2022-2023, the paper highlights changes to the teaching
program and survey structure that occurred in early 2022, with the introduction of a scaffolded learning
approach and a rapid GIRT survey option to enable members to develop confidence and build from success.
Recreational and Technical (GIRT) Scientific Divers formally started in January 2019, after an approximately
six-month pilot project in South Australia. GIRT Scientific Divers was designed and developed to encourage
interested people, businesses, and groups to have an active and positive underwater archaeology role. Launching
in New Zealand and across Australia, GIRT has expanded to include members in ten countries. From a 2020/21
survey of member motivations and characteristics, GIRT has been demonstrated to be a gateway into maritime
archaeology for previously non-engaged individuals. However, GIRT is very much still an evolving citizen
science program, and this paper discusses some of the key learning outcomes the author has gained from
developing and training members of the public in GIRT over the last five and half years. The paper candidly
looks at challenges experienced by GIRT to maintain an engaged and active membership specifically addressing
the key issues of time and funding, IT, the andragogical methodology used, and survey structure and complexity.
Lastly, drawing from recent training activities in late 2022-2023, the paper highlights changes to the teaching
program and survey structure that occurred in early 2022, with the introduction of a scaffolded learning
approach and a rapid GIRT survey option to enable members to develop confidence and build from success.
Creator
Andrew Viduka
Publisher
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Date
2023
Language
English
Bibliographic Citation
Viduka, Andrew. 2023. “Non-intrusive monitoring of underwater cultural heritage by the public - Gathering Information via Recreational and Technical (GIRT) Scientific Divers.” Edited by Jennifer Craig, Jay Mok, T. Kurt Knoerl, and Veronica Walker-Vadillo. In Proceedings of Fifth Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage: Gwangju, The Republic of Korea, November 13-18 2023. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology. URL: https://apconf.omeka.net/exhibits/show/apconfproceedings/item/2001
Files
Citation
Andrew Viduka, “Non-intrusive conservation focussed monitoring of underwater cultural heritage by the public -Gathering Information via Recreational and Technical (GIRT) Scientific Divers,” APCONF-MUCH Proceedings Recently Added Items, accessed October 24, 2026, https://apconf-much.org/proceedings/items/show/629.