Heritage & Creativity

Reading arts and humanities researchers are involved in a wide range of innovative and socially engaged research projects. Here are some highlights.

Graphic design and anti-microbial resistance

Successful information design enables people to understand and respond quickly to information they receive (sometimes in critical situations). Cutting-edge research on information design in pharmacy spaces, led by Professor Sue Walker (Typography) and involving local pharmacists and the general public, is supporting the NHS to improve information and public understanding about antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance (funded by AHRC).

Sick of Sickness! Recovering a Happier History

The NHS turns 70 this year, reminding us that it is there to turn to whenever we get ill. But what did people do before the NHS and the luxury of modern medicine? Historian Dr Hannah Newton has been studying diaries and letters written by families in early modern England who faced serious diseases armed with little more than their faith (funded by the Wellcome Trust).

Diasporic literary archives

In a globalising world with increasing migration and movement, the diasporic nature of literary archives demands attention from government and scholars committed to maintaining literary heritage. Professor David Sutton (English Literature) is working with scholars and governments worldwide to transform access and preservation of small collections and national literary archives (funded by  the Leverhulme Trust).

Sensory Objects

Dr Kate Allen (Art) has been working with the groups of young people with learning disabilities to create interactive sensory objects in response to their own experiences at major museums and organisations such as the National Trust, British Museum, and the University’s own Museum of English Rural Life. Her work has opened up new insights and practical solutions to make museums more open and inclusive (funded by the AHRC).

Helping Iraq’s heritage

Decades of war have threatened the rich cultural heritage of Iraq, often called the cradle of civilisation. Building on more than 30 years of research and collaboration in Iraq, Roger and Wendy Matthews (Archaeology) have been working with local archaeologists and museum staff, as well as the Iraqi government, the UN and other bodies, to address the urgent and long-term threats to Iraq’s globally important cultural heritage (funded by the European Research Council).

Beyond Havana

Cuba, the last ‘socialist paradise’ is rapidly opening up to the West – and thereby risks losing its very own special identity. For decades, cultural policy has been led out of Havana, and recently Parvathi Kumaraswami (Modern Languages and Linguistics) has been investigating how personal and local social identities have been constructed via participation in literary culture in the eastern province of Granma (funded by the AHRC).

User Not Found

Research led by Lib Taylor (Film, Theatre and Television) is engaging audiences in immersive performance experiences that encourage them to reflect on virtual identity and the online legacies they will leave behind. The play User Not Found, created by theatre company Dante or Die, working with FTT researchers, technology agency Marmelo, and the Centre for Death and Society at the University of Bath, received rave reviews and was sold out for its recent 3-week run at the Edinburgh Fringe. (Arts Council and AHRC funded)

Interdisciplinary Research Centres

• Centre for Book Cultures and Publishing
• Centre for Cognition Research
• Centre for Health Humanities
• Samuel Beckett Research Centre

Centres

• Centre for Information Design Research
• Early Modern Research Centre
• Graduate Centre for Medieval Studies
• Heritage and Creativity Institute for Collections
• Reading Ethics and Political Philosophy

Read the latest news and blogs from the Heritage & Creativity research theme

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• Events across all research themes

Our researchers work with many local, national and international partners, including schools, businesses, NGOs and government.

The University is working with the British Museum to rehouse part of the Museum’s research collection at the University’s Thames Valley Science Park. With a focus on global research, the Museum will work collaboratively with University researchers, and with local schools, groups and organisations via its community outreach programmes, to allow greater access to objects from its collection.

Researchers from the Department of Art are working with a wide range of community arts organisations on a three-year contemporary visual arts research programme directed by Professor Susanne Clausen (funded by Arts Council England). Hosted by a rich mixture of partners within the town, Reading International produces several major projects each year, in which artists and curators are given a platform to make new work in response to the unique social and historical context of Reading and wider Berkshire.

The University offers a wealth of museums, collections and archives, state of the art production spaces for film, theatre and television, and world-class archaeological excavations. Our outstanding collections focus on agricultural, rural and environmental histories, Greek ceramics, Zoology, the work of Samuel Beckett and the history of books, publishing and typographic design.

Visit the Doctoral and Researcher College website for information about postgraduate research opportunities within the Heritage & Creativity theme.

There are many ways to get involved with Heritage and Creativity:

Take part in an archaeological dig at the Archaeology Field School in the Vale of Pewsey

Volunteer at either the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) or the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology

Email Heritage and Creativity

Building research impact

Find out about our UK-wide community working to develop impact in the arts and humanities.

Working with business

Your organisation can benefit from our expertise. Visit the University's innovation front door or email frontdoor@reading.ac.uk