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Heritage and Policy

Learning Event: Heritage and Policy (University of Leeds, UK 6 December 2019)

In collaboration with Dr Hana Morel from University College London (UCL) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s (AHRC) Heritage Priority Area, this 1-day workshop aims to explore the intersections and relevance of Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF) heritage research and public policy, including ways of ‘bringing learning back to the UK’, by providing participants with a useful guide and practical tips on how to engage with the policy process. This is a fantastic opportunity for those wanting to translate research findings into policy impact but are unsure how to do so.

The areas the workshop will be focusing on specifically are:

  • Introducing the policy process and stages of advocacy, including open calls for evidence and responding to them.
  • Facilitating change through bridging heritage research with evidence-based policy.
  • Suitable ways of engaging with policymakers.

Keynote speakers include: Richard Hebditch (Government Affairs Director at The National Trust), Professor Andy Gouldson (Director of Policy@Leeds), and Professor Ian Baxter (Director of Scottish Confucius Institute for Business & Communication).

Hana Morel (Co-Convenor) Introduction: The Role of Heritage Research in Evidence Based Policy Production – Hana currently works for the AHRC Heritage Priority Area at the UCL Institute of Archaeology. She was awarded her PhD in 2016, in which she explored the development of planning policy and archaeology in global cities and the impact this has on those involved with archaeology and heritage. Her previous roles include working as policy researcher with Bournemouth University's Global BU team led by the PVC, heritage lead of the Izmit Nicomedia Project in Turkey, and project manager of the NYC Heritage project at the NYC Landmark Preservation Commission. Her focus includes exploring the role of heritage alongside UK national priorities and global challenges, and engaging research with evidence-based policy.

Jan Baxter (Keynote) Positives, Perils and Purpose: A Personal Journey at the Interface of Practice and Policy – Jan runs the Scottish Confucius Institute for Business & Communication at Heriot-Watt University. He has has worked for a number of universities in traditional academic research and teaching roles, as well as various senior management and external engagement positions. Originally trained as an archaeologist, he has focused on strategic organisational and knowledge management issues within the heritage and tourism sector, undertaking consultancy projects in the UK and overseas. He is currently the Vice Chair of the Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) and a Trustee of The Heritage Alliance (the two umbrella organisations for heritage NGOs in the UK), and a member of the Education, Training & Standards Committee of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC).

Andy Gouldson (Keynote) Shaping Urban Policy Through the Co-Production of Research on Climate Change. Andy specialises in policy oriented, impact-driven inter-disciplinary research, focusing especially on the ways in which cities can respond to the challenges associated with climate change. He has worked on international climate policy and with governments and other stakeholders at the national, regional and local levels in multiple countries, and has pioneered the development of new place-based climate commissions in cities and towns across the UK'. Richard Hebditch (Keynote) What Makes Evidence Compelling Enough to Drive Policy Change? Richard has been Government Affairs Director at the National Trust since October 2013, leading the Trust's advocacy and public policy work. Prior to that, he was Campaigns Director for the Campaign for Better Transport for five years, leading the campaigns and media team and working with government departments to put forward new and innovative policy solutions. Previously he worked for Living Streets, where he was head of policy and communications. Richard has also served as senior policy adviser in the Cabinet Office's Office of the Third Sector, where he worked on the Compact agreement to improve relations between local and national government and the voluntary sector, as well as commissioning a new funding information service for the sector He was also the National Council for Voluntary Organisations Parliamentary Officer from 2000-2002.

Follow @Changing_Story_ on Twitter for updates throughout the workshop!