Historic Environment Scotland submission for AHRC Capability for Collections Fund (CapCo) stream B - equipment
Lead Research Organisation:
Historic Environment Scotland
Department Name: Conservation Science Unit
Abstract
These equipment upgrades will improve and enhance Historic Environment Scotland's (HES) core functions in investigating, caring for and promoting Scotland's historic environment, both in terms of managing our in-house collections and also underpinning our wider engagement and support across the sector. Our historic environment is a sophisticated assemblage of historic buildings and structures, archaeological sites, monuments and landscapes which, together with object collections and archives, make up a unique and interconnected resource, collectively documenting over 5000 years of human history. Through upgrades to key pieces of equipment - spanning across material science, 3D digital documentation and visualisation, remote survey and applied object conservation - our ability to apply science to culture to better understand and safeguard our national collections will be enhanced, increasing wider benefits through sharing of information and promoting additional collaborative research with a range of partners and stakeholders.
The targeted investment is particularly timely because climate change is resulting in unprecedented impacts on our historic environment, significantly increasing the threats to its preservation. Increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events and the acceleration of coastal erosion are threatening iconic sites, requiring better understanding of impacts and adaptive actions. Tackling the causes of climate change also requires unprecedented levels of intervention to buildings to support emissions reduction and decarbonisation. To address these issues, HES recently launched a new and ambitious Climate Action Plan to set out our priorities for understanding and adapting to the challenges of climate change. Research and innovation is one of four cross-cutting priorities helping to support delivery of this plan. By allowing us to create richer datasets and helping to make information more widely available in more accessible formats and in greater quantity, this investment will transform our use of digital resources to support ourselves and others to make better informed choices about how we look after our cultural heritage for future generations.
The investment will result in practical benefits to HES, our partners, and wider stakeholders. It will produce efficiencies and significant cost savings as well as the provision of new quality, multi-purpose data, which will support us and other asset managers to devise more effective interventions to maintain and adapt the historic environment to maximise benefits whilst retaining cultural value. This increased capability will support new research and innovation and increase access and engagement, including reaching new audiences and development of resources for education and training. We will also support new economic opportunities by informing planning and development, and supporting resource efficiency and the sustainable re-use of historic assets through, for example, provision of improved information to support energy efficiency retrofit of existing buildings, currently a major strand of economic recovery programmes.
The upgraded equipment will also support research and skills development in heritage management and conservation. It will support the work and development of our in-house trainees, collaborative PhD students and junior researchers, and underpin national and international partnerships. This will help to ensure that the next generation of researchers and heritage professionals have the skills necessary to tackle contemporary challenges. Through the investment and the enhanced capability it will deliver, we will build on our strong reputation for excellence and innovative cross-disciplinary partnership approaches to research, and increase our support for others by providing a national-scale resource for collaboration, education and training.
The targeted investment is particularly timely because climate change is resulting in unprecedented impacts on our historic environment, significantly increasing the threats to its preservation. Increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events and the acceleration of coastal erosion are threatening iconic sites, requiring better understanding of impacts and adaptive actions. Tackling the causes of climate change also requires unprecedented levels of intervention to buildings to support emissions reduction and decarbonisation. To address these issues, HES recently launched a new and ambitious Climate Action Plan to set out our priorities for understanding and adapting to the challenges of climate change. Research and innovation is one of four cross-cutting priorities helping to support delivery of this plan. By allowing us to create richer datasets and helping to make information more widely available in more accessible formats and in greater quantity, this investment will transform our use of digital resources to support ourselves and others to make better informed choices about how we look after our cultural heritage for future generations.
The investment will result in practical benefits to HES, our partners, and wider stakeholders. It will produce efficiencies and significant cost savings as well as the provision of new quality, multi-purpose data, which will support us and other asset managers to devise more effective interventions to maintain and adapt the historic environment to maximise benefits whilst retaining cultural value. This increased capability will support new research and innovation and increase access and engagement, including reaching new audiences and development of resources for education and training. We will also support new economic opportunities by informing planning and development, and supporting resource efficiency and the sustainable re-use of historic assets through, for example, provision of improved information to support energy efficiency retrofit of existing buildings, currently a major strand of economic recovery programmes.
The upgraded equipment will also support research and skills development in heritage management and conservation. It will support the work and development of our in-house trainees, collaborative PhD students and junior researchers, and underpin national and international partnerships. This will help to ensure that the next generation of researchers and heritage professionals have the skills necessary to tackle contemporary challenges. Through the investment and the enhanced capability it will deliver, we will build on our strong reputation for excellence and innovative cross-disciplinary partnership approaches to research, and increase our support for others by providing a national-scale resource for collaboration, education and training.
Organisations
- Historic Environment Scotland (Lead Research Organisation)
- Victoria and Albert Museum Dundee (Collaboration)
- National Records of Scotland (Collaboration)
- British Geological Survey (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW (Collaboration)
- PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL (Collaboration)
- University of Stirling (Collaboration)
- National Heritage Science Forum (Project Partner)
- Built Environment Forum Scotland (Project Partner)
- National Trust for Scotland (Project Partner)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Ewan Hyslop (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
8th Braid Salaam Scouts
(2022)
Blog: History is fun with the 8th Braid Salaam Scouts
Alea Ibrahim
(2022)
Blog: The curious case of Caerlaverock Castle's Islamic glass
Claire Mullaney
(2022)
Press release: Medieval Islamic glass reveals untold histories
Julia Woolman
(2024)
Press release: 3D model offers chance to come face-to-face with Mary Queen of Scots
Lisa Brown
(2022)
Eternal Connections
in Celebrating Archaeology in Scotland 2022
Susan Swarbrick
(2022)
An Eternal Enigma
in Historic Scotland: The Magazine for Historic Scotland Members
| Title | Glass beaker reconstuction |
| Description | Working with 3D models, creative practitioners, and community groups, the Eternal Connections project utilised scientific analysis (captured using CapCo funded equipment) and research data to engage and work with a community not traditionally associated with Scotland's heritage. Through active collaboration between the project partners, the team found new ways of understanding and imagining the contemporary and historic connections between Scotland and Islam. Artist Alice Martin undertook a wide programme of research into the Islamic glass fragments, then made her own digital reconstruction 3D model of how the glass fragments would have looked when as an intact glass beaker. Alice's research was captured in 3 YouTube videos, and shared as a Sketchfab model. Background and shape - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIug-9CWmuQ Islamic calligraphy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q05_1rZpbgg Fish imagery - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZMwrz-ey4g |
| Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | Alice's Sketchfab model is free to download so other artists or creative practitioners around the world can use the data, remix or 3D print their own version. By making this open access, it is hoped this will inspire further creative responses. At the time of writing, the Sketchfab model has been viewed 517 times and downloaded 6 times. |
| URL | https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/glass-beaker-reconstruction-caerlaverock-castle-c697dcc193cf42858060... |
| Description | New and improved workflows have been developed for materials analysis (using the XRD, Chromameter and pXRF) and for digital documentation of high reflectance ('shiny') collections objects (using the Rigsters Arago photogrammetric system). These new pieces of scientific equipment are enabling us to work more efficiently and confidently, to provide more reliable scientific results. |
| Exploitation Route | We have utilised the new heritage science equipment to support others in the sector; for example, Perth Museum and Art Gallery and the National Records of Scotland. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Creative Economy Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
| Description | We support the use of the scientific equipment for partners in the sector. For example, we have undertaken pXRF analysis on a leather panel from Perth Museum and Art Gallery, and we have digitally imaged Seals from the National Records of Scotland collection for partners there using the Rigsters Arago. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal Policy & public services |
| Description | Eternal Connections |
| Amount | £26,805 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | AH/X000370/1 |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2022 |
| End | 08/2022 |
| Title | Identification and Comparison of Chemical Elements in traditional glassmaking methods |
| Description | Using the CapCo procured portable XRF, glass analysis will be undertaken in March 2022 by a glass blower funded by HES. They will be undertaking research, using experimental manufacturing, into the traditional methods of glassmaking using kelp ash and shells for lime. The glass will be made into beads influenced by the designs of Norse and Iron Age beads found in Caithness. The Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Bruker Tracer 5g will support analysis by comparing original Kelp Glass (12 samples from archaeological excavation and previous Kelp Glass analysis from Edinburgh Castle) and experimental Kelp glass using sea-weed chemicals. This should highlight differences in manufacturing process and would support knowledge on the manufacturing of old materials. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The process of glassmaking will be documented through video to open the possibility for future training in these techniques. Supported by an archaeologist, the artist is reconstructing an 18th century Kelp Kiln to do an experimental firing. The glass beads will be distributed amongst project partners and local heritage and arts organisations. |
| Title | Improvement to national research resource for heritage science at The Engine Shed |
| Description | The CapCo investment in heritage science equipment for Historic Environment Scotland has directly resulted in a significant improvement in our scientific resource capacity and capability. Much of the new equipment is based at The Engine Shed, supporting our ambition for this centre to be recognised as a centre of excellence in heritage innovation and a national resource for heritage science. Our aim is that the Engine Shed will be a focal point for heritage science in Scotland. The new equipment will be used to support applied research with partners across higher education institutions, both in the UK and internationally. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, our activities at the Engine Shed are restricted. However, we continue to support research access for our collaborative PhD students and others to make use of this new equipment. We envisage an increase in research use going forward. |
| URL | https://www.engineshed.scot/ |
| Title | Improvements to photogrammetric digital documentation workflow for collections objects |
| Description | The digital documentation process employs a range of 3D capture technologies including photogrammetry to record high resolution 3D datasets of cultural heritage items (collections) and historic sites. Photogrammetric methodologies can vary in equipment and quality, with some approaches relying on fully manual capture processes, which are often slow, physically taxing or repetitive, and can lead to inconsistent results. The Rigsters Arago, purchased via the CapCo funds, is a semi-automated photogrammetric capture system. It is designed to facilitate consistent and robust 3D capture of portable items using attached DSLR camera systems linked to a control device. It includes state of the art tools for planning image capture positions, powerful control software, and multiple axes of control including lateral turntable position to ensure image coverage. This allows the configuration and calibration of the system, enabling the quick capture of hundreds, or thousands of high resolution images with unique positions and orientations per item. These photographs are an integral part of the photogrammetric methodology, which feed into the photogrammetric software. Overall, the system increases the efficiency and speed at which the items can be captured, facilitating the capture of large collections. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | HES are responsible for over 40,000 collections items associated with the properties in care. Our commitment to digitally document and make available these items in 3D will be accelerated through the use of the Rigsters Arago system. Deployment of the equipment was initially set back by the effects of the global pandemic and restrictions on office access, which has delayed our ability to schedule collections capture sessions. However, already the system is enabling capture of technically challenging items such as the Islamic glass (Accession no. OCAE027), which will form a central component within HES' AHRC CapCo follow up project, 'Eternal Connections'. The Arago has also enabled additional personnel to receive training in its operation to undertake future digital documentation, increasing capacity and reducing the risk associated with limited trained users. |
| Title | Improvements to scientific baseline data for conservation decision making within the HES estate |
| Description | Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is implementing a new approach to the inspection of historic properties in response to the effects of climate change. A programme of tactile condition surveys on over 200 properties will assess the extent of deterioration of high-level masonry and ensure public safety against the risk of potentially unstable building fabric. It will mean that access to some properties will be restricted to enable surveys to be conducted. Scotland's public heritage body, which cares for 336 historic buildings and sites across Scotland, believes the programme is a proactive step towards transforming the way the nation's most precious places are protected, repaired and experienced in the face of accelerating decay from climate change. The tactile survey programme, which is the result of ongoing risk assessment and sample surveys, will assess the impact of climate change, as well as the scale of deterioration caused by a number of other factors, including the materials used in the building's construction, its age and physical location. It is anticipated remedial works could require significant investment over multiple years and, in some instances, require a different management approach to be taken than before. Underpinning this programme, scientific analysis of stone and mortar using the X-Ray diffraction instrument procured via the CapCo funding stream will allow for the production of robust datasets of stone and mortar typologies to support and inform conservation decision making. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Too early to measure impact. |
| URL | https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/news/new-measures-introduced-to-manage-the-impact-of-c... |
| Title | Seeing the unseen - archaeological imaging beyond the visible spectrum |
| Description | Traditional imaging of vegetation proxies for buried archaeological remains relies on RGB photography in visible light. Research has established that vegetation responses to buried archaeological remains can be evident in non-visible bands (i.e. multi- and hyperspectral imaging) of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g. c. 701 nm). However, predicting the appropriate conditions under which extensive multi- and hyperspectral imaging might be deployed is difficult. The DJI UAV mounted Nano-Hyperspec VNIR and Velodyne Puck LITE LiDAR with GPS/INS allows spectral and height data to be collected simultaneously. This supports the collection of multi-temporal multi-sensor (i.e. spectral and topographic) datasets that will allow the conditions under which landscape scale multi- and hyperspectral imaging can be acquired to best effect. This is central to establishing a cost-effective role for multi- and hyperspectral imaging in archaeological prospection and, crucially, it will help us better understand the conditions of soil, crop, weather and climate in which it is best applied. The overall objective of the research tool is to provide enhanced datasets at a site by site level that will support prediction of conditions for large area acquisitions by fixed wing aircraft (that are not limited by line of sight and can cover large landscapes). This will support the further exploration of the archaeological remains that are otherwise buried and do not register as crop proxies in visible light imaging. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The research tool is not published as it is under development. The multi-temporal datasets will be made freely available and the research outcomes will be published in a timely manner to contribute to the development of this method of archaeological imaging. The outcomes of the research will inform the strategy for Historic Environment Scotland's national programme of aerial reconnaissance, and will be of interest to others across the UK and Europe working in similar landscapes. Too early to describe notable imapcts. |
| Description | Research Collaboration using CapCo pXRF |
| Organisation | Perth and Kinross Council |
| Department | Perth Museum and Art Gallery |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Use of CapCo funded pXRF heritage science equipment to support Perth Museum to answer specific research questions. Including: - Huntingtower leather panel to confirm the presence of gilding residue - Provenancing jet beads |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to collections items for research collaboration |
| Impact | Successfully identified presence of gilding on leather panel and provided data to support provenancing of jet beads. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Research collaboration using Chromameter |
| Organisation | Victoria and Albert Museum Dundee |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Using the CapCo funded Chromameter to monitor colour fading of a drawing of Cumbernauld Town Centre on display at the V&A Dundee. In parallel with National Galleries of Scotland undertaking a micro-fading study on the drawing. The chromameter will be further used to investigate at which scale the instrument finds differences in the change in pigmentation in the drawing. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to drawings and sharing knowledge on conservation status. |
| Impact | Development of new techniques for use of this scientific equipment. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Research collaboration using Rigsters Arago and 3D Printer |
| Organisation | National Records of Scotland |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Undertook photogrammetry capture of 3 seal casts from the Declaration of Arbroath to support interpretation research and accessibility, using CapCo procured equipment. Also 3D printed 1:1 scale replicas for educational handling kits using CapCo procured equipment. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of access to the seal casts and historical knowledge exchange. |
| Impact | Educational handling kits and online accessible imagery. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Research collaboration using XRD |
| Organisation | British Geological Survey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration with BGS to undertake salt analysis using the CapCo funded XRD for Preston Tower in Prestonpans. Identification of salts was undertaken to support conservation decision making process. |
| Collaborator Contribution | BGS undertook stone matching analysis to support delivery of the conservation project. |
| Impact | Supported the development of new research methodology. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Research collaboration using XRD |
| Organisation | University of Stirling |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of access to CapCo funded XRD and supervisory support to PhD student to undertake analysis to support research topic: The cultural and physical factors in the history and development of traditional external wall coatings in Scotland While the PhD was underway before this XRD equipment was procured, the student used the equipment in 2022. |
| Collaborator Contribution | PhD research undertaken to support delivery of HES Research Strategy |
| Impact | Development of new techniques for use of this scientific equipment. PhD Thesis from Tim Meek |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Research collaboration with University of Glasgow on Museums in the Metaverse research project |
| Organisation | University of Glasgow |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has provided training on use of CapCo and CResCa funded equipment to the UKRI Levelling Up Funded Museums in the Metaverse team, who purchased one piece of the same equipment (Rigsters' Arago photogrammetric system). HES has also provided 3D datasets to the researchers, which were created using CapCo and CResCa funded equipment. https://www.ukri.org/news/100m-rd-levelling-up-funding-awarded-to-accelerate-innovation/ |
| Collaborator Contribution | Sharing in practices and approached |
| Impact | None as yet |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Title | Eternal Connections ThingLink |
| Description | We have developed a free to access ThingLink webtool to share the results of primary research, scientific analysis, engagement workshops and site visits conducted throughout the Eternal Connections project. This is published online and meets accessibility criteria. The ThingLink can be accessed and explored here: https://www.thinglink.com/card/1604051920832430081 |
| Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Impact | The ThingLink has been very well received due to its ease of access and navigation, and comprehensive content. Feedback from project participants and members of the public has been wholly positive. HES will now use ThingLink as a dissemination platform going forward. |
| URL | http://www.thinglink.com/card/1604051920832430081 |
| Description | Eternal Connections |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | This project uses Historic Environment Scotland's (HES) upgraded heritage science equipment to stimulate discussion and creative practice around the heritage of Scotland's Muslim communities. Working with 3D models, creative practitioners, and community groups, it will use scientific analysis and research data to engage and work with a community not traditionally associated with Scotland's heritage. Through active collaboration between the project partners, we will find new ways of understanding and imagining the contemporary and historic connections between Scotland and Islam. PLANNED WORKSHOPS We will deliver a series of workshops with partners in summer 2022. Starting with fragments of a Islamic glass beaker in HES collections, we will use 3D models created as part of the project, and will run a series of collaborative, creative workshops with Scottish Muslim community groups. The sessions will bring heritage directly to under-represented groups, and produce creative responses to the questions of identity, belonging, and connection posed by the object. Project Partner: Muslim Scouts For the Scouts, we will run two workshops as part of the Scout's weekly 90-minute Friday meetings in Edinburgh. Workshops will take the form of a calligraphy session, with participants learning to write some of the 99 names of Allah in Arabic script. Working with our Gaelic team, and building on the themes of identity and connection raised in an earlier site visit, we will translate these names into Gaelic, and combine Arabic and Gaelic imagery to produce drawings of how participants themselves think the Islamic glass beaker might have looked. Workshop 3 will see HES bring along the CapCo equipment and demonstrate it in action via a mix of live and pre-prepared demonstrations. Along with showcasing the capabilities of the equipment, this will provide an opportunity to promote heritage science as a career. Project Partner: Amina For Amina, we will run a series of four workshops with a group of up to 8 women from Middle Eastern or Kurdish Sorani communities. We are particularly keen to engage with women who are asylum seekers or refugees, a group that Amina have long experience of supporting. We will draw on Amina's previous experiences of producing the Life in the Time exhibition with over a hundred Muslim and BME women, and adopt a similar creative approach by running discussion sessions mixed with poetry and postcard writing, video and podcast production. OUTPUTS AND IMPACTS Eternal Connections will produce: new knowledge about HES's collections; a series of creative responses to this heritage; and 3D models accessible to the public. The project's main impacts will be softer. First and foremost, we want participants to see themselves in Scotland's heritage, and to help us find ways to tell a more inclusive story about our society and past. Scotland's Muslims are under-represented across the heritage sector, both in terms of our workforce and in the stories we tell. We cannot change this with just one project, but through co-production and collaboration we can better understand the issues and barriers facing Muslims in contemporary Scotland. To understand if the project has had an impact on participants, we will conduct a light-touch, informal survey of those involved before and after the project starts and ends. This will also help us to reflect on what worked and what didn't so that we can improve future practice. By using the eternal connections revealed by the Islamic Glass and our investigations into it, we are starting a conversation about how we can better represent Scotland's Muslim heritage. Success factors will include the number of direct and indirect participants; new potential partnerships identified; and new resources created for education and learning. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Eternal Connections presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation by Lyn Wilson, Anila Mirza, Lynsey Haworth, Adam Frost to Historic Environment Scotland's Research & Climate Change Team Dialogues on 27 October 2022. This presentation demonstrated the impact and reach of this collaborative project, and detailed the specific use of the CapCo purchased specialist heritage science equipment. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Eternal Connections presentation to National Heritage Science Forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Lisa Brown gave a presentation on the use of the CapCo heritage science equipment and the Eternal Connections project to the National Heritage Science Forum - Communities Working Group on 22 September 2022. This was attended by around 30 heritage professionals and sparked discussion and ideas about future activites. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Our Place In Time Engagement Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Our Place in Time is Scotland's Historic Environment Strategy and is currently being refreshed. Anila Mirza ran a workshop during the strategy consultation period on 20 August 2022, with Amina Womens Resource Centre, who were our partner in Eternal Connections. The women contributed their views on what heritage means to them and shared their thoughts on what Historic Environment Scotland and its partners could do to remove barriers for refugee women to support them to create a sense of belonging. This engagement project was based on the scientific equipment procured through the CapCo grant. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Our Place In Time Innovation Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Our Place In Time (OPiT) is Scotland's historic environment strategy. It is currently being refreshed by Historic Environment Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers. We held a workshop on innovation at the Engine Shed, Stirling on 06 September 2022, at which Lyn Wilson, Sophia Mirashrafi, Adam Frost and Maureen Young showcased the heritage science equipment purchased through our CapCo grant, and the Eternal Connections ThingLink produced with this Impact grant. Around 75 heritage professionals from across the UK attended, which sparked requests for further showcases and started dialogue on potential collaborative projects using this equipment. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/news/be-part-of-history-and-have-your-say-on-scotland-... |
| Description | Presentation at Scottish Museums Federation conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation by Lynsey Haworth on Eternal Connections project, with a focus on the impact of the glass objects, their analysis and digital documentation, in communicating and engaging audiences with heritage. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Presentation by Vicky Mohieddeen at AHRC RICHeS Launch Event at the Engine Shed on 03 March 2023. Talk title: Eternal Connections - Exploring Displacement and Belonging Through Heritage |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | At the AHRC run launch event, we had the opportunity to invite partners to speak about the impacts of heritage science. Vicky Mohieddeen, our partner in Eternal Connections spoke about the impact this project (and the resultant impact from the CapCo equipment fund) had on the group of women from the Amina Womens Resource Centre that took part. It was the intention that this talk would spark discussion around how heritage, and heritage science can have wider societal impacts. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Stone of Destiny Media Opportunity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Delivery of a media opportunity to promote HES and Stirling across national news / media channels in relation to the Coronation of the King, using CResCa and CapCo funded equipment to demonstrate scientific and digital work undertaken to reveal new information on the Stone of Destiny. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |