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Durham History Department
Student walking outside the Department of History

Museums, Archives, and Heritage

This research theme considers museums, archives, and the concept of heritage as both source materials and subjects of historical research. This theme supports the development of research-led teaching as well, and it intersects with public history, broadly conceived. Members of the group work across time periods and geographies, and often across disciplines. We meet for work-in-progress discussions, reading groups, guest speakers, and site visits, in an informal environment where members can share new research, consider methodological approaches, and discuss conceptual and practice-based issues. All members of staff and postgraduate students are welcome. This research theme complements the work of the Faculty’s Centre for Visual Arts and Culture, which members are also encouraged to join.

Current research interests include:

  • photographs in archives, museum displays, digital environments
  • the materiality, history, and politics of the archive; archival theory
  • history of museums and collecting; mobility of collections
  • museums in Central and Eastern Europe; museums of science, fine and decorative arts, archaeology
  • decolonisation, restitution, and reparative justice in museums and archives
  • heritage and conservation practices; cultural and natural heritage
  • history and memory; public engagement with museums and archives
  • gender, class, and race in the archive

Staff