Cultural Heritage
As our first Research Peak, Cultural Heritage demonstrates significant disciplinary breadth, bringing together scientific methods for analysing and preserving heritage with an understanding of the cultural context. Our researchers change policies, pioneer technologies, and work with governments and communities alike in search of a sustainable future for the most remote and endangered heritage sites, places and marginalised communities. Research within our Cultural Heritage Peak spans archaeology, art history, architecture, literature, history, art conservation, social sciences, art and design and science and technology disciplines.
The Cultural Heritage Research Peak tackles research problems by collaborating with researchers and professionals across cultural institutions and academia. Recognised by the UK Government’s Research and Innovation body (UKRI) as an integral element of the UK’s research infrastructure, NTU is leading on developing scientific and technological innovations and cutting-edge research infrastructure to maintain and improve cultural heritage in the UK and beyond.
Cultural Heritage Research Peak Impact Report - Spring 2023
Take a look at the Cultural Heritage Research Peak Impact Report for Spring 2023 to find out more from the Peak academics and the ground-breaking research happening in this area.
Key staff
With international recognition for their work in this area, Professor Gamal Abdelmonem and Professor Haida Lang lead the Peak and oversee a multidisciplinary team of researchers operating within this area.
Professor Liang and the ISAAC Lab lead the development of cutting-edge mobile imaging and sensing instruments as well as associated new data methods for non-invasive in situ investigations of cultural objects and scientific sites. The ISAAC Lab has collaborated with over 30 cultural organisations around the world and is actively influencing the care and restoration of rare and highly valuable art pieces as well as important archaeological findings.
Professor Abdelmonem brings extensive expertise on the development of advanced virtual heritage technologies to record heritage sites with a focus on the humanitarian value of heritage preservation. Professor Abdelmonem’s work involves less focus on government-led initiatives, and instead focuses more on community-led socio-cultural and economic partnerships in vulnerable communities – such as the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. The aim of Professor Abdelmonem’s research is to promote democratisation and equitable opportunities in the field of cultural heritage research.
Mohamed Gamal Abdelmonem
Professor Mohamed Gamal Abdelmonem is a Professor and Chair of Architecture at the School of Architecture, Design and Built Environment at Nottingham Trent University. Professor Abdelmonem is a prominent critic and scholar in architectural humanities, history and theory of architecture and smart preservation of urban heritage.
Haida Liang
Professor Liang is Distinguished Professor of Physics, Head of the Imaging & Sensing for Archaeology, Art History & Conservation (ISAAC) research group, Director of the Imaging, Materials and Engineering Research Centre (IMEC) and one of the leads of the university-wide Cultural Heritage Research Peak.
Queen's Anniversary Prize 2021
Nottingham Trent University has been awarded the highest national honour for cultural heritage science research.
Related theme
Global Heritage: Science, Management and Development
We’re leading the way in heritage research. Our work focuses on connecting science and technology with a diverse range of areas including archaeology, art history, literature, social sciences and art and design to prepare heritage sites for the challenges ahead.
Related research centres
Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Global Heritage
Focusing on the investigation of human aspects of architecture, urban heritage, and the built environment within the ever-changing urban and social structures of contemporary cities.
Imaging and Sensing for Archaeology, Art History and Conservation (ISAAC)
The Imaging & Sensing for Archaeology, Art History & Conservation (ISAAC) research group is one of the world leading groups in the development of optical coherence tomography (OCT), spectral imaging and remote sensing techniques (hardware, software, data processing and analysis) specifically for cultural heritage applications.
Re:store
Researchers at NTU are developing new methods to restore and protect cultural heritage sites, artefacts and artworks across the globe.
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.