Join Us
We describe heritage science as the application of science and technology to cultural heritage to improve understanding of it, long-term management of it, and engagement with it. It's a broad umbrella term that intersects with many different disciplines such as conservation science, archaeological science, geosecience, engineering, digital humanities and data science to name a few.
This breadth and interdisciplinarity is part of what makes heritage science so exciting - it's also one of the reasons why collaboration is so important.
The National Heritage Science Forum is made up of organisations that are active in the field of heritage science. We bring together heritage organisations, academic institutions and professional bodies. Our members play a critical role in the delivery of the strategic framework for heritage science in the UK.
Membership Benefits
NHSF members work together to address policy issues and increase capacity for heritage science research. They collaborate to make better use of resources and develop better ways to understand, demonstrate and measure the economic and social benefit of our heritage and of heritage science.
What we do
- Share knowledge, ideas and innovations to maximise the impact and public benefit of heritage science
- Lead the delivery of the Strategic Framework for Heritage Science to shape the future of heritage science in the UK
- Speak as a single voice to Government and to strategic and funding bodies to influence policy and strengthen the position of heritage science in the UK
- Promote interdisciplinary collaboration across the heritage science community
- Achieve greater impact from research through wide public engagement
- Maximise investments in resources and knowledge by facilitating skills and equipment sharing
- Support capacity-building initiatives and promote heritage science career opportunities
- Support our members by delivering a programme of activity which reflects their priorities, and by representing shared concerns to opinion formers.
Benefits of membership include:
- Influence over NHSF's strategy and programmes
- High level engagement with the strategic framework for heritage science in the UK
- Shaping responses to consultations and policy engagement
- Monthly newsletter including funding calls, jobs, research opportunities and news from across the sector
- Access as a contributor to the Kit-Catalogue for equipment sharing
- Networking with leading participants in the field of heritage science
- Participation in the NHSF Member Council
- Participation in Member Meetings
- Voting rights
Membership rates
We welcome applications from all organisations that want to play a part in shaping the future of heritage science in the UK. We have recently changed our membership structure to reduce the fees for smaller organisations and we are particularly keen to encourage these organisations as well as organisations from industry to join the Forum so that we can maximise the benefits from the exchange of ideas and collaboration that are at the heart of the Forum's work.
Annual membership rates are linked to turnover.
Turnover of < £1 million: £525 per year
Turnover of £1-20 Million: £1,050 per year
Turnover of > £20 million: £2,625 per year
This year, the membership year runs 1 May 2024 to 31 March 2025. Fees are pro-rated for organisations that join part way through a year.
The 2025-26 membership year will run 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Membership application form
Please complete this application form and send to the email address below: NHSF Membership Application Form 2024-25 (Word document)
People often find it helpful to have a conversation about NHSF's work and how it can support their organisation's heritage science goals. To find out more about NHSF, or for an informal conversation about joining the forum, please contact Caroline Peach by emailing: coordinator@heritagescienceforum.org.uk.