New Strategic Framework Launched for 2024-27
Today, the National Heritage Science Forum (NHSF) launched the refreshed Strategic Framework for Heritage Science in the UK for the period 2024-2027.
The refreshed framework represents an ambitious vision for the next three years. It centres on three interconnected outcomes that the community has identified as crucial for advancement:
- Public value: measurable positive change for society resulting from heritage science.
- Research: excellent research leading to new knowledge, understanding and innovation.
- Community: an inclusive, confident, diverse and outward-looking heritage science community.
The framework is a tool for use by individuals and organisations from across the heritage science community. We want to encourage people to use it and show how their activities contribute to the delivery of these shared goals.
Read the Strategic Framework for Heritage Science in the UK, 2024-2027 (pdf)
Today's launch event showcased work that demonstrates how a range of organisations are already playing a part in delivering the outcomes of this new Strategic Framework. The Ashmolean Museum spoke on public engagement with conservation and heritage science. The Institute of Conservation's (Icon) Heritage Science Group presented various activities to improve access to heritage science research. Historic Environment Scotland shared an overview of the Skills Investment Plan for Scotland's Historic Environment and how it aligns to the aims of the Community strand of the Strategic Framework. Find out more about the launch event.
We hope these examples will inspire people to link their own activities to this new tool for the heritage science community.
The next step is a workshop on 22nd January 2025 to co-create a Framework delivery plan. More information about this workshop will be sent out via the NHSF newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: Subscribe to the NHSF e-newsletter.
Heritage science is the scientific study of cultural and natural heritage. It is an interdisciplinary field that draws on diverse humanities, science and engineering disciplines. It focuses on enhancing the understanding, care and sustainable use of heritage so that it can enrich people's lives, both today and in the future.
The NHSF is committed to connecting organisations and communities of interest from across this diverse landscape. The NHSF's ultimate goals are to enhance collaboration and to communicate the role heritage science plays in creating better outcomes for society.
Developing and coordinating the Strategic Framework for Heritage Science in the UK is one of the primary ways that NHSF supports the community in achieving these goals of collaboration and communication.