On the 12th June the House of Lords discussed the recent report on Science and Heritage (Science and Technology Committee Report) and whilst doing so congratulated the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) on taking the lead in making heritage and science a major part of its forthcoming strategy.

This sub-committee of the Science and Technology Committee undertook in 2006, under the chairmanship of Baroness Sharp of Guildford, to examine the application of science and technology to the care and conservation of the UKs cultural heritage.

The main conclusion to this report was that this is an area of science and technology, albeit a highly specialist one, in which Britain has in the past led the world but which has in the last two decades been in decline and which will decline further and much more seriously unless urgent action is taken. Heritage science is seen as providing the basic underpinning for preservation of the UKs cultural heritage. As science and technology moves forward, it is essential that there are those who are not only familiar with the old processes and techniques but can also access and make use of the new.

Currently, there is massive fragmentation in the sector such that there are splits between the heritage sectors and no overall strategic leadership in the sector.

In response to these challenges the Arts and Humanities Research Council has made heritage and science a major part of its forthcoming strategy over the next five years. In addition the AHRC has joined the EU consortium bidding to establish the "heritage.net", which, if successful, will be the first significant initiative to co-ordinate research and training in the cultural heritage field across the EU.

Lord Howarth of Newport said "The AHRC should be congratulated... on making the running to secure funding for cultural heritage from the European Union seventh framework programme. It has, with the EPSRC, created the new post of director for heritage research and made the wise appointment of Professor Cassar. I understand that there are further staff for research and co-ordination and an immediate allocation of additional resources of £1 million for work in this field. It is working on establishing the baseline, mapping, consulting, networking and co-ordinating."

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For further information please contact Jake Gilmore, AHRC Press and Public Affairs Officer, j.gilmore@ahrc.ac.uk; tel: 0117 987 6773.

Editors Notes

Arts and Humanities Research Council: Each year the AHRC provides approximately £90 million to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from archaeology and English literature to design and dance. In any one year, the AHRC makes approximately 700 research awards and around 1,500 postgraduate awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. Arts and humanities researchers constitute nearly a quarter of all research-active staff in the higher education sector. The quality and range of research supported not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.

UK Science & Heritage Research Programme: The Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council are managing this research programme that will run, initially, for five years. In the first instance the Programme director, Professor May Cassar, will be leading on the programmes development, external coordination and outreach as well as on extensive networking with the national and international research community including non-academic sectors. In addition she will establish the base line level of funding across all the research councils and develop a comprehensive map of recent and current research and training activity in heritage science.