Durham University Partners with Historic England to Advance Heritage Research
On Monday, 23rd February, Durham University announced a new partnership with Historic England as part of its Heritage 360 (H360) project. This collaboration aims to enhance research and public engagement around both natural and cultural heritage in the North East of England.
By linking cultural and environmental studies, the partnership seeks to address pressing issues such as:
Re-wilding and ecological restoration of landscapes
Decarbonising heritage sites to make preservation sustainable
The initiative will help researchers, policymakers, and the public gain a more integrated understanding of heritage in a rapidly changing world.
What Historic England Does
Historic England is a public body dedicated to protecting historical and cultural sites across England. Its responsibilities include:
Identifying and safeguarding cultural heritage sites
Advising on the conservation and care of historic places
Providing expertise to support local planning, assisting over 20,000 applicants with planning permissions annually
Through this work, Historic England ensures that historical sites are preserved while remaining functional and relevant to contemporary communities.
About the Heritage 360 Project
Durham University’s Heritage 360 Project takes a fresh approach to heritage, emphasizing that it is not just about preservation but about dynamic engagement with the natural world.
H360 focuses on:
Understanding the interaction between natural and cultural heritage
Making heritage research responsive to ecological and societal changes
Developing strategies for sustainable site management and community involvement
Heritage 360’s Past Achievements
The H360 project has already built notable partnerships, including:
Raby Estate – archaeological and ecological studies
National Trust Green Corridor – community and conservation initiatives
Atilim University, Turkey – earthquake preparedness and heritage protection research
Durham University has also appointed Dr. Colleen Batey as the first Heritage Site Honorary Professor, reinforcing the project’s commitment to academic excellence and practical heritage engagement.
Through these collaborations, Heritage 360 aims to foster innovative, community-led approaches while exploring global and local challenges in heritage preservation.
