Heritage

Heritage Studies at Northumbria

Heritage Studies at Northumbria is interdisciplinary and takes place across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Many of our research projects involve collaborations with other institutions and non-academic partners, especially local and national heritage organisations. Our partners contribute to both teaching and research, allowing our students to access sector-specific expertise.

Heritage Studies at Northumbria has particular strengths in the following areas:

• Commemoration and collective memory (celebration and ritual at heritage sites; conflicting memories of minority groups; literary heritage and cultural tourism; memorials, statues and public art)
• Diaspora and associational culture (cultural transfer; roots tourism; material culture; ethnic associations)
• Museum history and heritage conservation and management (historic houses; histories of galleries and exhibitions; archives and collections; conserving urban heritage)
• Public history and historical interpretation

Northumbria’s academic staff have experience working in and engaging with museums and galleries. We provide advice and consultancy for the heritage sector and the government.  Staff and students organise and contribute to arts and cultural festivals, curate exhibitions and design heritage interpretation. We also undertake public engagement and heritage education work with schools, cultural organisations and community groups. 

MRes Heritage and MA Cultural Heritage Management

At Northumbria we offer a Master’s degree in Cultural Heritage by research (MRes). We also offer a taught Master’s degree in Cultural Heritage Management within the Cultural Management suite of programmes. The course explores heritage sector-specific principles, policies, institutions and practices and provides training in essential heritage management skills. 

The Heritage Consortium

Northumbria University is part of the AHRC-funded Heritage Consortium to deliver doctoral training and undertake research in all aspects of heritage.

The Heritage Consortium consists of Bradford, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds Metropolitan, Northumbria, Sheffield Hallam and Teesside Universities. The consortium encourages collaboration with its extensive network of national and international partners, including heritage organisations, local authorities and community groups for research, teaching, and public engagement.

The Heritage Consortium provides fully-funded doctoral studentships in heritage training and research. These studentships are advertised annually. They are supported by specialist supervision, professional mentoring and career development, and placement and training opportunities. The next round of studentships will be advertised in 2015.

Enquiries about the Heritage Consortium at Northumbria can be directed to Professor David Walker. For more information see the Heritage Consortium webpage.

Image copyright The Laurence Sterne Trust. This educational session for staff and students was part of a collaborative project between the Laurence Sterne Trust and Northumbria University, ‘The Good Humour Club’, which was funded by the Heritage Lottery.

Staff Profiles

Dr Seraphim Alvanides (Architecture and Built Environment) 
Dr Susan Ashley (Arts)
Dr Michael Barke (Geography)
Dr Katherine Baxter (English)
Dr Tanja Bueltmann (History)
Dr Michael Cullinane (History)
Dr David Gleeson (History)
Dr Anja-Silvia Goeing (History)
Professor Michael Green (English)
Dr Adam Hansen (English)
Professor Tom Lawson (History)
Dr Carol Ludwig (Architecture and Built Environment) 
Dr Claire Nally (English)
Dr Tawny Paul (History)
Dr Monika Smialkowska (English)
Professor Richard Terry (English)
Dr Claudine Van Hensbergen (English)
Professor David Walker (English)
Professor Tony Webster (History)
Dr Leigh Wetherall Dickson (English)
Dr Helen Williams (English)