The Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science will celebrate its launch at Daresbury on 1st October 2024.
In recognition of her excellence in the field of conservation and heritage, Alice Roberts, Professor of Public Engagement in Science at University of Birmingham, will be addressing partners from across the UK as they celebrate the launch of the Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS).
RICHeS is an AHRC-funded consortium of higher education institutions, museums and heritage institutions aiming to evolve heritage science to preserve and champion the UK’s cultural heritage. Through close collaboration amongst its members, the network will accelerate innovation in the field and unlock access to new skills and funding.
Professor Roberts' keynote speech will explore how new and innovative technologies in heritage science can expand and challenge our understanding of the past.
As a biological anthropologist, author of books about archaeology and genetics, and presenter of BBC2’s Digging for Britain, heritage science is in my bones. I’m delighted to be helping to launch the new AHRC RICHeS programme on 1st October. New scientific techniques are being used to unlock incredible secrets from ancient remains and historical collections, vastly expanding our knowledge of the past and sometimes challenging long-held assumptions. It’s great to see this new investment in heritage science. At the launch, I’ll be talking about three stories from my recent trilogy of books, illustrating how both advanced dating techniques and archaeogenomics are transforming our view of past societies - working with newly discovered archaeological remains as well as museum collections. At the University of Birmingham, of course, we have amazing heritage collections. During my years in Birmingham, I have been lucky enough to work on the redevelopment of the Lapworth Museum and to host the annual Palmer lectures that see us taking heritage science out into schools and the local community, as well as curating an exhibition on anatomical illustration with the wonderful Cadbury Research Library.
Professor Fiona de Londras, Director of Research for the College of Arts and Law, added “We are delighted to see the launch of RICHeS and that Alice has been invited to address its launch event. Research, education, and engagement on conservation and heritage are a critical part our mission as a leading centre for arts and humanities research. Working in our major research centre, the International Centre for Heritage, with our collections, teaching on our programmes, and engaging in heritage practice, the work we do in Birmingham is part of the same, wider commitment that RICHeS represents: advancing heritage science and improving understanding”.
The International Centre for Heritage is at the forefront of heritage management research, transforming academic findings into policy recommendations for governments and heritage institutions.
Professor of Public Engagement in Science
School of Biosciences
Alice Roberts is an anatomist, author and broadcaster. Her research interests focus on evolutionary anatomy, osteoarchaeology and palaeopathology.
