AHRC Infrastructure Policy & Engagement Fellowship in Heritage Science and Conservation 2021
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Archaeology
Abstract
The aim of the AHRC Infrastructure Policy and Engagement Fellowships is to undertake research and engagement around three thematic areas, to inform and facilitate the design of a national research infrastructure in heritage science and conservation research (HSCR), creating an evidence base to inform strategic vision and investment. We are looking for heritage science and conservation researchers in UK IROs and universities who are keen to develop their skills in policy and cultivate an in-depth understanding of the HSCR landscape through data analysis and community engagement."
"Fellows will compile a literature, capacity and capability review of their thematic area, assessing the current UK heritage sector and university-based HSCR facilities, the relevant skills pipelines (or lack thereof) and potential points of synergy and collaboration with the wider scientific research community. Working closely with one another, with experts drawn from the heritage science community, and with colleagues within AHRC and across UKRI, successful Fellows will make recommendations for future action and investment, and produce a strategic delivery plan for the research infrastructure and its associated programme.
"Fellows will compile a literature, capacity and capability review of their thematic area, assessing the current UK heritage sector and university-based HSCR facilities, the relevant skills pipelines (or lack thereof) and potential points of synergy and collaboration with the wider scientific research community. Working closely with one another, with experts drawn from the heritage science community, and with colleagues within AHRC and across UKRI, successful Fellows will make recommendations for future action and investment, and produce a strategic delivery plan for the research infrastructure and its associated programme.
Publications
| Description | AHRC funded three Fellows to undertake scoping and engagement work on the requirements for Heritage Science Research Infrastructure in the UK over the next ten years. The AHRC-funded Fellowships facilitated researchers based at 3 institutions to collaborate: the British Museum (Dr Stacey), Manchester Metropolitan Museum (Dr Edwards) and Durham University (Dr Horsfield). The collaboration developed evidence-based recommendations to AHRC on its proposed major, 10-year investment in heritage science infrastructure. Each of the 3 Fellows focussed on a thematic area: fixed and mobile technologies (Dr Stacey), archives and digital infrastructure (Edwards) and governance (Horsfield). The work of the three fellows created a large dataset of responses to questions regarding the priorities of the Heritage Science practitioner community for future infrastructure investment. Through a series of structured workshops and a questionnaire, the team identified gaps in provision of services, skills and technology that require investment for the Heritage Science discipline to thrive in the UK commercial and academic sectors. The team made a series of recommendations to the AHRC relating to RC investment in UK heritage science based on these findings. |
| Exploitation Route | The stakeholder insights collected, and recommendations presented in the fellows' report, will be used to increase the robustness of the AHRC case for infrastructure investment in UK heritage science |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Description | Influence on UK research infrastructure investment |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Description | AHRC |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | AHRC funded three Fellows to undertake scoping and engagement work on the requirements for Heritage Science infrastructure in the UK over the next ten years. The AHRC-funded Fellowships facilitated researchers based at 3 institutions to collaborate: the British Museum (Dr Stacey), Manchester Metropolitan Museum (Dr Edwards) and Durham University (Dr Horsfield). The collaboration developed evidence-based recommendations to AHRC on its proposed major, 10-year investment in heritage science infrastructure. Each of the 3 Fellows focussed on a thematic area: fixed and mobile technologies (Dr Stacey), archives and digital infrastructure (Edwards) and governance (Horsfield). My contribution drew together insights, experience and methodologies from evidence-informed policy and decision-making at UK Government and international levels, to gather evidence and make subsequent recommendations for governance of the proposed infrastructure investment. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The AHRC funded three fellows to undertake scoping work on the requirements for Heritage Science Research Infrastructure in the UK over the next ten years. The AHRC was both the funder and 'customer' for the Fellows' research |
| Impact | The report prepared by the 3 Fellows was submitted to AHRC in 2021, and was subsequently deployed instrumentally within AHRC, including to AHRC Executive Chair and Directors Group, to strengthen the case for the proposed investment. The report was also deployed instrumentally within UKRI, including to UKRI Executive Committee, UKRI Infrastructure Advisory Committee and UKRI Strategy Committee. At the time of writing, sections of the report are expected to be deployed instrumentally in making the proposed investment case to BEIS. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | British Museum |
| Organisation | British Museum |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The project overall was based on collaboration between researchers based at 3 institutions: the British Museum (Dr Stacey), Manchester Metropolitan Museum (Dr Edwards) and Durham University (Dr Horsfield). The collaboration developed evidence-based recommendations to AHRC on its proposed major, 10-year investment in heritage science infrastructure. Each of the 3 Fellows focussed on a thematic area: fixed and mobile technologies (Stacey), archives and digital infrastructure (Edwards) and governance (Horsfield). My contribution drew together insights, experience and methodologies from evidence-informed policy and decision-making at UK Government and international levels, to gather evidence and make subsequent recommendations for governance of the proposed infrastructure investment. The report prepared by the 3 Fellows was submitted to AHRC in 2021, and was subsequently deployed instrumentally within AHRC, including to AHRC Executive Chair and Directors Group. The report was also deployed instrumentally within UKRI, including to UKRI Executive Committee, UKRI Infrastructure Advisory Committee and UKRI Strategy Committee. At the time of writing, sections of the report are expected to be deployed instrumentally in making the proposed investment case to BEIS. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Rebecca Stacy led research into the fixed and mobile capabilities of UK heritage science. Dr Stacey's expertise in physical scientific archives, reference collections and scientific equipment were vital for the success of the fellowship programme and the robustness of the subsequent report to AHRC. |
| Impact | The report prepared by the 3 Fellows was submitted to AHRC in 2021, and was subsequently deployed instrumentally within AHRC, including to AHRC Executive Chair and Directors Group, to strengthen the case for the proposed investment. The report was also deployed instrumentally within UKRI, including to UKRI Executive Committee, UKRI Infrastructure Advisory Committee and UKRI Strategy Committee. At the time of writing, sections of the report are expected to be deployed instrumentally in making the proposed investment case to BEIS. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Manchester Metropolitan University |
| Organisation | Manchester Metropolitan University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | AHRC funded three Fellows to undertake scoping and engagement work on the requirements for Heritage Science Research Infrastructure in the UK over the next ten years. The AHRC-funded Fellowships facilitated researchers based at 3 institutions to collaborate: the British Museum (Dr Stacey), Manchester Metropolitan Museum (Dr Edwards) and Durham University (Dr Horsfield). The collaboration developed evidence-based recommendations to AHRC on its proposed major, 10-year investment in heritage science infrastructure. Each of the 3 Fellows focussed on a thematic area: fixed and mobile technologies (Dr Stacey), archives and digital infrastructure (Edwards) and governance (Horsfield). My contribution drew together insights, experience and methodologies from evidence-informed policy and decision-making at UK Government and international levels, to gather evidence and make subsequent recommendations for governance of the proposed infrastructure investment. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr Ben Edwards of Manchester Metropolitan University led the project's research into the UK heritage science infrastructure requirements in terms of archives and digital infrastructure. Dr Edwards' work was vital to the robustness and reach in terms of the thematic area (archives and digital infrastructure). Dr Edwards work also provided a persuasive case for connectivity of the proposed digital research infrastructure with other public investments and initiatives. |
| Impact | The report prepared by the 3 Fellows was submitted to AHRC in 2021, and was subsequently deployed instrumentally within AHRC, including to AHRC Executive Chair and Directors Group, to strengthen the case for the proposed investment. The report was also deployed instrumentally within UKRI, including to UKRI Executive Committee, UKRI Infrastructure Advisory Committee and UKRI Strategy Committee. At the time of writing, sections of the report are expected to be deployed instrumentally in making the proposed investment case to BEIS. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Engagement with UK heritage science community |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | AHRC funded three Fellows to undertake scoping and engagement work on the requirements for Heritage Science Research Infrastructure in the UK over the next ten years. The AHRC-funded Fellowships facilitated researchers based at 3 institutions to collaborate: the British Museum (Dr Stacey), Manchester Metropolitan Museum (Dr Edwards) and Durham University (Dr Horsfield). The collaboration developed evidence-based recommendations to AHRC on its proposed major investment in heritage science infrastructure. Each of the 3 Fellows focussed on a thematic area: fixed and mobile technologies (Dr Stacey), archives and digital infrastructure (Edwards) and governance (Horsfield). The 3 Fellows, together with AHRC, undertook a programme of engagement with a range of stakeholders with an interest in UK heritage science. The results informed the recommendations made by the 3 Fellows to AHRC. The report prepared by the 3 Fellows was submitted to AHRC in 2021, and was subsequently deployed instrumentally within AHRC, including to AHRC Executive Chair and Directors Group, to strengthen the case for the proposed investment. The report was also deployed instrumentally within UKRI, including to UKRI Executive Committee, UKRI Infrastructure Advisory Committee and UKRI Strategy Committee. At the time of writing, sections of the report are expected to be deployed instrumentally in making the proposed investment case to BEIS. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |