Introduction to Issue 24
John Cattell
John Cattell, our National Head of Research, introduces Issue 24 of Historic England research magazine focusing on Historic England’s growing number of externally-funded research partnerships.
This issue provides a snapshot of the range of collaborative heritage projects that support our corporate priorities and those of the heritage sector. Much of this research has become possible since we were awarded Independent Research Organisation status in 2017.
Here we explain what having that status means for the development of our research activities and the kinds of partnerships, programmes and projects that have resulted. These extend from multi-million pound projects such as 'Unpath’d Waters' to projects like 'The Matrix' that looks at archaeological practice to provide guidance for the sector through to technical conservation projects like the one on fibrous plaster we have undertaken with the University of Bath.
We also look at the support we provide to PhD researchers hosted with partner universities through our collaborative doctoral partnerships scheme funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. These partnerships allow us to help shape research that underpins our work whilst introducing researchers to our ways of working as part of their career development. We hear from the students about their research that extends from technical conservation and heritage science through to data on our historic high streets as well as the fruits of research into the collections of the Historic England Archive.
Apprenticeships offer another route into a career in heritage as our research co-ordinator apprentice explains.
Our research is not just limited to England as shown by the 'Outreach to Ownership Project', which is partnership with Historic Environment Scotland. Some of the projects we are involved in have a European dimension: such as a project on phytoliths funded by the science hub for the European Science Cloud.
There are many other emerging opportunities for fruitful external research collaborations and we have proposals in development with a wide range of partners and research funders.
In this issue
-
Developing Historic England’s Research Funding Partnerships
How we work in partnership with universities, Independent Research Organisations and other bodies to deliver innovative applied research.
-
Just What the 'Doctor' Ordered
Examining the activities, angsts and achievements of pursuing a collaborative PhD with Historic England.
-
Data and the Historic High Street
Exploring good practice in producing and curating data about historic high streets.
-
The Origins and Use of Medieval Glazing in England
Researching window glass from England’s medieval abbeys.
-
Retracing the History of the Topical Press Agency Medical Collection
A recently discovered medical photography collection sheds light on how healthcare was visualised in interwar and wartime Britain.
-
Historic England Apprenticeships- an Unexpected Opportunity
Adam Vamplew, Apprentice Historic Environment Research Co-ordinator, explains his role within Historic England's Collaborative Research programmes.
-
Making Data on Microscopic Archaeological Plant Remains More Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable
Working to create a global open phytoliths community (studying ancient microscopic plant remains) to improve data sharing.
-
To Unpath’d Waters, Undream’d Shores
The Unpath'd Waters project by Historic England aims to connect the UK’s marine and maritime heritage collections through partnership.
-
The Matrix: Using Archaeological Stratigraphic Data
A project that aims to facilitate connecting and reusing digital records and archives of archaeological investigations.
-
Outreach to Ownership: a Community-focused Research Pilot
Public heritage bodies in England and Scotland working in partnership to empower community-led research in the cultural sector.
-
An Overlooked Heritage: Fibrous Plaster in the United Kingdom
Researching the behaviour of fibrous plaster ceilings and decoration to help address safety issues and conserve these aesthetic details.
-
Research Reports Roundup May 2023
An overview of additions to our Research Reports Database in February to May 2023.
