If Not Us – Who? If Not Now – When?

MarteSpangen's keynote articulated many of my own sentiments.The 'wickedness' of our contemporary times can indeed feel overwhelming, and the urge for archaeology to make a difference, to truly matter, has rarely been greater.Diverse perspectives, Spangen points out, are essential for tackling wicked problems.However, one issue is that populists are looking for simple solutions.How are we to remain relevant in a society that is reduced to simple binaries?Spangen identifies a way toward greater social relevance through what she terms participatory archaeology, her preferred label for communitybased research.Crucially, she argues for a participatory archaeology that follows self-reflexive principles and is conducted with a clear purpose.Rather than seeking consensus about the past, she proposes an inclusive participatory approach that makes room for opposing views and cultivates discensus.Such open and transparent dialogue between experts and communities, she suggests, may serve as a counterweight to anti-democratic tendencies shaping contemporary society.