Protecting our heritage is a vital part of our future. Understanding culture, traditions, landscapes, identities, and community can help us preserve who we are, and who we will become.
At Newcastle University, researchers from a range of disciplines are committed to learning more about what heritage means to communities locally but also on a global scale.
A history of heritage in Newcastle
Newcastle has played a leading role in the development of heritage studies since the 1980s.
The formation of the International Centre for Cultural Heritage Studies in 2000 built a base for different disciplines to work together. This evolved to become the Centre for Heritage in 2019. In its current format, the Centre is a network of over 180 colleagues from all job roles, linked across the University, the region, and the globe.
Working internationally with heritage partners
Our researchers work with a variety of partners across five continents and numerous countries. We have particularly strong connections with universities in northern Europe, Australia, and China. One of our key strategic international partnerships related to heritage is with the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience (ICSC) which promotes global human rights and social justice.
Our heritage work is also underpinned by partnerships with British International Research Institutes, such as the British Institute at Ankara (BIAA), the British School at Rome (BSR), and the British School at Athens (BSA). These collaborations provide opportunities for joint research and exploration, as well career development and networking opportunities for our staff and students.
Heritage across global communities; Newcastle’s collaboration with partners in Turkey
A recent event held in Turkey is a perfect example of the type of collaborative work-in-progress as part of these partnerships. In November 2023, Newcastle University, and partners from the British Institute at Ankara (BIAA) came together for a workshop looking at how local communities connect with the different heritages that exist in specific places, and how this can be fostered in official heritage practice.
Participants listen to presentations at the BIAA and Newcastle University workshop in November 2023
This was the first official event between the two partners, highlighting their commitment to long-term collaboration in heritage research. Both institutions adopt an investigative approach to the idea of ‘communities’ in heritage studies by concentrating on groups of people who have often been overlooked, silenced or misunderstood by the experts in official reports and publications.
Christopher Whitehead, Professor of Museology and Dean of Global at Newcastle University leads the relationship with the BIAA. He commented:
“Connections like this help us to combine our respective experiences to move forwards to new ways of working. Working with the BIAA we have learned more about how we can adopt the best community engagement research and practice”.
Working across cultures and industries
November’s workshop brought together various actors from the cultural heritage sector, including representatives from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, research institutions, academics, and university students.
The event included presentations on current projects, facilitating discussions among participants from diverse industries, including academia, tourism, local government, and community groups.
Ela Alanyalı Aral, the Director of the ‘Tumuli of Ankara’ (Ankara Tümülüsleri) project, added:
“It was very informative and mind-opening for us to follow the research on heritage and communities and the shared experiences of recent projects in the field.Furthermore, discussing what kind of projects could be developed for the heritage in Ankara, the workshop was very helpful for starting the networking necessary for possible future projects.”
What’s next for heritage research between Newcastle University and partners?
Reflecting the synergy of this exciting collaboration, this approach will be repeated in future events between the partners.
Inspired by Newcastle University’s ‘Plural Heritages of Istanbul: The Case of the Land Walls’, as well as the BIAA’s ‘Living Amid the Ruins’ project, the workshop enabled Turkish heritage stakeholders to talk collectively about community engagement in their heritage projects, to inspire each other, and to create chances for future collaborations.
Professor Whitehead added:
“This type of discussion can lay the groundwork for creating a network across different platforms, improving cooperation for better integration of society and cultural heritage”.
This collaborative approach enables researchers at Newcastle University to work with colleagues and key partners across the world. Likewise, it has showcased Newcastle’s heritage research to Turkish scholars and heritage authorities, laying the ground for new collaborations.
Yıldırım İnan from the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism commented:
“The workshop confirmed that a direct mutual relationship would be a healthier way to ensure the effective participation of stakeholders from all segments of society in heritage management, rather than a top-down approach involving educational methods. I therefore look forward to developing our discussions on heritage and communities”.
Recommended for you
- explore our Centre for Heritage - a unique interdisciplinary centre for heritage research
- find out more about our university-wide strategic partnership with the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience
- learn more about Prof Christopher Whitehead, Dean of Global - Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor of Museology
