Science and Heritage: A Follow-Up Report

HL 291, Fifth Report of Session 2010-12

Author:

House of Lords - Select Committee on Science and Technology

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

Price: £10.00

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According to research, heritage tourism contributes £7.4 billion a year to the UK economy and supports 195,000 full time equivalent jobs. 'Science and Heritage: A Follow-Up (HL 291)' looks at how the Government will sustain this contribution by responding to recommendations to bolster science heritage, to help maintain the UK's museums, libraries, archives, gallery collections and historic buildings.

The recommendations made in the Committee's first report on heritage science (see below), received a positive response: the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) have developed a joint Science and Heritage Programme, and the heritage science community have published a National Heritage Science Strategy and appointed a National Heritage Science Forum which have done much to help build its capacity.

The Committee have however heard concerns that senior heritage scientist posts are being lost and that the sustainability of UK heritage science capacity is at risk. It believes that the AHRC and National Heritage Science Forum should work together to measure capacity and address any issues arising.

Whilst acknowledging the role of the heritage science community and improvements in this area since 2006, the Committee remains concerned and calls on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to take action and ensure that heritage science is given the priority it deserves.

In conclusion, the Committee recommend that the DCMS appoint a Chief Scientific Adviser to set departmental objectives for heritage science, with DCMS arm's length bodies setting out how they will help achieve these objectives.

Extent	35 pages	ISBN	9780108475900
Size	A4	Price	£10.00
Format	Paperback	Published	11 May 2012
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges