The Centre for Sustainable Heritage is part of UCL, a leading academic research institution. Research activities are guided by our Research Strategy and Research Objectives.
Currently our major research themes include:
- Effects of climate change on cultural heritage. This theme has been explored through the Scoping study 'Climate change and the Historic Environment', on behalf of English Heritage. The technological issues of the effects of changing moisture balance on the historic fabric are investigated in 'Engineering Historic Futures' and 'Noah's Ark'
- Natural ageing of objects in the display or storage environment. The 'Historic Objects' project began our research in this area, and the theme will be explored further by the 'Identical Books' project
- Effects of indoor environments on collections, and how these problems should be addressed by conservation, have been the main themes of the MASTER and IMPACT projects
- Use of innovative technologies for cultural heritage. The 'Cityware' project is exploring the possibilities for using communication technologies to manage access to cultural heritage in cities.
Research objectives
Research forms a key part of the Centre's activities and has done so
since its inception. A significant proportion of the Centre's activities
has involved research projects focussing on developing existing
knowledge and expertise in an interdisciplinary environment.
- Identify the heritage sector's research needs
- Establish the Centre's capability to meet the needs
- Strengthen existing research partnerships
- Develop new partnerships might to promote new research areas
- Consider how research activity might contribute to teaching excellence and how teaching activity might contribute new research ideas
- Convert academic results into practice such as methodologies, tools etc, in order to influence a wider audience involved in decision-making.