Tranche 1 – collections

Material History: hosting a cross section of National Trust properties and collections

Organisation: National Trust
Principal investigator: Rebecca Hellen

The project will establish the National Trust Paint Archive Collection, sharing resources on historic houses and collections to enhance research, support arts and culture, and deepen the understanding of the UK’s material heritage.

Material History: hosting a cross section of National Trust properties and collections


Scotland’s Archaeological Human Remains Collection (SAHRC)

Organisation: National Museums Scotland
Principal investigator
: Matthew Knight

The project will expand the National Museums Collections Centre’s storage and research facilities to establish Scotland’s Archaeological Human Remains Collection (SAHRC). It will improve access and research capabilities and set new standards for ethical care in the Scottish heritage sector.

Scotland’s Archaeological Human Remains Collection (SAHRC)


Ark of the North: opening up access to animal bone reference collections in northern Scotland

Organisation: University of Aberdeen
Principal investigator
: Kate Britton

This project consolidates extensive animal bone reference collections into the Ark of the North, enhancing accessibility and research potential through improved specimen access, online cataloguing and collaborative partnerships.

Ark of the North: opening up access to animal bone reference collections in northern Scotland


Establishing Tate’s Conservation and Heritage Science Archive (CHSA)

Organisation: Tate
Principal investigator
: Louise Lawson

This project aims to consolidate extensive heritage science data into the Conservation and Heritage Science Archive (CHSA), facilitating global access, retrieval, visualisation and sharing of data to advance research and conservation efforts in British, modern and contemporary art.

Establishing Tate’s Conservation and Heritage Science Archive (CHSA)


The Reynolds Digital Research Resource: access to rich heritage science data in its multidisciplinary context and a template for future initiatives

Organisation: National Gallery
Principal investigator
: Marika Spring

This project aims to create a centralised digital resource of technical data on Joshua Reynolds’ paintings, enhancing research and conservation in British art. This project will be used as a template that can be applied to other artists.

The Reynolds Digital Research Resource: access to rich heritage science data in its multidisciplinary context and a template for future initiatives


Biocultural Heritage Information in a Virtual Environment (Biocultural HIVE)

Organisation: University of Exeter
Principal investigator
: Catriona McKenzie

This project aims to create the Biocultural HIVE, enhancing storage, access and preservation of biocultural heritage through an open-access digital repository and improved infrastructure for innovative research.

Biocultural Heritage Information in a Virtual Environment (Biocultural HIVE)


University of Sheffield Bioarchaeology Collections (SHEFF BIOARCH)

Organisation: University of Sheffield
Principal investigator
: Umberto Albarella

This project aims to establish SHEFF BIOARCH, a new bioarchaeology research infrastructure that will enhance bioarchaeology research, storage and access to collections. It will also foster collaboration, innovative research and educational opportunities across the UK heritage science community.

University of Sheffield Bioarchaeology Collections (SHEFF BIOARCH)


Reconstructing the ancient past: digital access and visibility of the Garstang distributed collection

Organisation: University of Liverpool
Principal investigator
: Joanne Fitton

This project aims to enhance access to the Garstang’s archaeological collections by establishing a network of partner museums in northwest England and creating a dual-language online portal to document artefacts, fostering collaborations in heritage science.

Reconstructing the ancient past: digital access and visibility of the Garstang distributed collection


Advancing access to the UCL Archaeological Reference Collections (A3RC)

Organisation: University College London
Principal investigator
: Kevin MacDonald

This project will improve the storage, study and accessibility to the IoA’s archaeobotanical, osteological and artefact collections, fostering research excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration in heritage science.

Advancing access to the UCL Archaeological Reference Collections (A3RC)


Heritage Science Collections Hub: South HSCH:S

Organisation: Historic England
Principal investigator
: Gill Campbell

This project will upgrade the infrastructure of the Fort Cumberland Laboratories, enhancing access and research potential for heritage science collections. The new facilities will ensure the long-term preservation of the collections, establishing a national hub for interdisciplinary research in heritage science.

Heritage Science Collections Hub: South HSCH:S


Transforming access to Mediterranean cultural heritage science collections

Organisation: Newcastle University
Principal investigator:
Mark Jackson

This project will digitally transform and integrate internationally significant heritage science collections curated by UK researchers, enhancing accessibility and fostering interdisciplinary research. It will also address significant historical questions through innovative and collaborative efforts.

Transforming access to Mediterranean cultural heritage science collections


Empowering safety: hazardous materials awareness, identification and management

Organisation: Science Museum
Principal investigator:
Michelle Stoddart

This project aims to establish a comprehensive hazardous materials library and develop robust hazard management procedures, enhancing awareness and improving access to heritage collections. It will advance safety, scientific excellence and collaboration in UK heritage science.

Empowering safety: hazardous materials awareness, identification and management


HRP REsearch Vault for HEritAge Science CoLlections (REVEAL)

Organisation: Historic Royal Palaces
Principal investigator:
Constantina Vlachou-Mogire

This project aims to consolidate and enhance accessibility to Historic Royal Palaces’ substantial scientific sample collections through the REsearch Vault for HEritAge Science CoLlections (REVEAL), a dedicated physical and digital storage facility.

HRP REsearch Vault for HEritAge Science CoLlections (REVEAL)