Archaeology offers a great opportunity to improve wellbeing through community engagement in the widest possible context. This can take the form of enhanced appreciation of the development of the landscape and local cultural heritage, shared through initiatives such as public talks and Q&As to blogs and vlogs and the use of Rubicon’s award-winning podcast ‘The Shindig’. This combines enhanced understanding of the local environment and landscape with opportunities for older and socially isolated people to take part in events. Rubicon is a proud signatory of the Placemaking Wales Charter with the Design Commission for Wales, building local community concerns and identity into our consultancy documentation and advice. We offer anonymous feedback through structured surveys, event evaluations, and online forms. Well-implemented feedback mechanisms lead to higher engagement and better decision-making.
At Rubicon Archaeology, we take a collaborative approach to effectively communicating archaeology. Our ethos is the proactive communication of archaeology to diverse audiences over the full lifecycle of projects. We have over 20 years’ experience in the dissemination of the archaeological results of publicly funded projects. To govern this process, Rubicon has a Dissemination and Publication Policy, which is updated annually, and which supports our staff engagement activities across a wide spectrum of public outreach. Rubicon is an industry leader in the effective dissemination of archaeology, from the earliest stages of a project to formal publication and legacy promotion.
Our in-house training schemes are designed to enhance employee skills, improve productivity and support professional development. Rubicon uses a combination of structured onboarding for new hires, role-specific technical training and learning opportunities such as our “toolbox talks”. Additionally, we have hosted student placements for undergraduates, as part of their degree courses, as well as work experience placements for A-Level students. Rubicon has five Training Schemes accredited with CIfA. The goal of all these efforts is to foster a knowledgeable, adaptable workforce that can meet evolving business demands and contribute to the company’s long-term success.
Rubicon Archaeology is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, with overarching company targets to reduce carbon emissions from energy use. We aspire to a long-term ambition to be carbon neutral from energy use by 2030. Rubicon Archaeology is a Considerate Constructors Scheme registered organisation, with performance rated ‘Excellent’ across three standards (Community, Environment & Workforce). We are audited three times per year to ensure we follow defined codes of practice.
Rubicon Archaeology is ISO 14001:2015-certified which governs our Environmental Management System. This has a series of steps to effectively deal with sustainability and environmental requirements embedded from the outset of each project. One such example on a recent project involved piloting the use of a Carbon Tool Tracker, where we recorded metrics for such things as litres of fuel used in plant and site accommodation; staff commutes in terms of mode/mileage/fuel; and volume of on-site materials excavated. Rubicon also practices sustainable procurement, using local businesses and services where possible. This kind of careful tracking, using our certified systems and working closely with our clients, guarantees the highest standards of sustainability and environmental performance in the interest of all involved.
Staff wellbeing is a vital priority for any forward-thinking company, as it directly influences employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention. A strong commitment to wellbeing includes promoting a healthy work-life balance, offering mental health support, and creating a positive, inclusive workplace culture. Rubicon provides resources such as counselling services, flexible working arrangements, and regular check-ins to support their teams both personally and professionally. Rubicon is a Living Wage accredited and Disability Confident Employer. Rubicon is just as committed to community wellbeing. Through partnerships with local organizations, employee volunteer programs, and sustainable business practices, we aim to foster a healthier environment where everyone can flourish. Our efforts are guided by a deep sense of responsibility and a vision for long-term positive impact in every community we serve.