Our cultural heritage research is protecting and preserving the past for future generations. Combining arts, humanities, science and technology, we use advanced imaging, remote sensing and data science to safeguard iconic historical objects, sites, buildings and traditions. Our researchers work with museums, governments and communities worldwide to conserve heritage, restore endangered cultural sites and shape policy for sustainable preservation. Recognised with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize, our innovations support cultural institutions globally, ensuring heritage is understood, valued and protected for the benefit of societies everywhere.
Changing the way we engage with heritage
Cultural heritage sites, traditions and objects across the world are deteriorating. They are being affected by war, climate change and growing urban infrastructures. With every lost asset, we are erasing another chapter in our shared heritage of history, experiences and traditions – the things that make us human, providing us with a sense of place and identity.
NTU's cultural heritage research brings together science, engineering, arts and humanities to develop innovative ways to reveal, record, restore and preserve priceless artifacts and protected monuments. Changing how we see our past and preserving it for the future.
NTU researchers respond to challenges at home and across the globe. They have developed solutions to create a digital twin to monitor the effects of environment on the building fabric and remote sensing to study the hidden painting schemes of the iconic Cathedral Church of St Barnabas, designed by the renowned architect Auguste Welby Pugin. . They are engaged in saving the archaeological remains of the ancient city of Thmouis in Egypt as well as the genetic make-up of ancient Egyptians, and the underlying chemistry of ancient perfumes - uncovering and protecting important information of societies that laid the foundation for our civilization. They’re also using astronomy imaging techniques to date 800-year-old Tibetan Buddhist cave temple paintings in a UNESCO site on the Silk Road.
Through innovation and collaboration, we’re reimagining how we restore, protect and preserve cultural heritage assets around the world. We are shaping cultural heritage policy to safeguard traditions and cultural identity, and we’re redefining approaches to heritage science to conserve knowledge of previous generations for the future.
Our cultural heritage research was submitted to the General Engineering (B12) and the Architecture, Built Environment and Planning (C13) Units of Assessment in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, where our B12 impact case study based on ISAAC Lab’s work was rated 4*, and the C13 impact case study voted Best Practice in impact of International Development research by UKCDR.
Our researchers
Distinguished Professor Haida Liang
Haida leads innovative research in science for heritage, art and the humanities, applying physics, optics and imaging to the preservation of cultural heritage. As Head of the Imaging and Sensing for Archaeology, Art History and Conservation (ISAAC) group, she develops non-invasive methods that reveal hidden details in artworks, historical objects and historic sites.
Professor Mike Robinson
Mike is Professor of Cultural Heritage, working to develop the University’s international, cross-disciplinary research portfolio in the cultural heritage field. With over 30 years’ experience of working at the interface between heritage, tourism and culture, Mike’s focus is upon research that makes a difference to communities and businesses across the world.
Sotiria Kogou is an Academic Fellow in the Physics Department, and the coordinator of the mobile activity of the Imaging and Sensing for Archaeology, Art History and Conservation (ISAAC) research group. Her areas of research include the application of advanced optical imaging, spectroscopic and remote sensing instruments for non-invasive and non-destructive investigation of materials, and applications of physical sciences to history, art conservation and archaeology.
Associated Research Centres and Groups
Imaging and Sensing for Archaeology, Art History and Conservation (ISAAC)
Find out how NTU develops a non-invasive imaging and spectroscopic techniques for art conservation, archaeology and art history.
Cultural Heritage, Architecture, and Community (CHAC)
The research group, Cultural Heritage, Architecture and Communities (CHAC), brings together researchers engaged with and sharing interests in, the dynamic inter-relationships between cultural heritage (tangible and intangible), architecture and communities.
Centre for Research in History, Heritage and Memory Studies
The Centre connects NTU researchers and projects in policy, religion, conflict, race, gender, memory & welfare through varied methodologies & knowledge exchange
Re:search Re:imagined
To us, research is about more than writing papers and proposing new ideas. By daring to think differently, we’re disrupting the research landscape and finding the answers to the questions that really matter. From social media addiction to sustainable farming, we’re inspiring the brightest minds to rise up and find solutions to some of the most significant global challenges facing society.
Re:searchers Re:vealed
Here at NTU, our researchers come from a variety of backgrounds, and they all have a powerful story to tell. In this series, we share their stories. From the mothers, the dancers and the engineers, to the refugees, the survivors and the volunteers.
This is their re:search, re:vealed.