Program Overview

Introduction to the Heritage Skills Program

The Heritage Skills Program, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and led by the Research Institute for Arts and Humanities (RIAH) at Swansea University, has provided a series of work experience opportunities for research students with a range of international heritage institutions.

Program Details

• The program has given research students the chance to undertake placements with several partners, including the National Waterfront Museum, the Blaenavon World Heritage Site, and the Morgannwg Gwent Archaeological Trust.
• Some research students also had the opportunity to complete internships with the De Asasif Conservation Project in Egypt, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Ancient Thebes and its Necropolis' and is directed by Dr. Elene Pischikova.
• The focus of the project is the rediscovery of three temple tombs from the 25th and 26th dynasties in Egypt.

Innovative Heritage Apprenticeship Program

• The Heritage Skills Program also provided an opportunity for postgraduate research students from across the UK to participate in an innovative 'Heritage Apprenticeship' program, modeled on a popular BBC television series.
• Under the direction of Professor Huw Bowen, successful applicants had to complete a series of challenging tasks related to the Cu@Abertawe project, an exciting heritage-led regeneration project on the site of the former Hafod-Morfa Copper Works in Lower Swansea Valley.

Exhibition and Outcomes

• The students' exhibition at the National Waterfront Museum will include photographs taken by the students during their placements, as well as descriptions of their activities and the transferable skills learned through their experiences.
• The exhibition will be open to the public for two weeks from August 6-18 (10am-5pm daily) in the museum's main entrance and reception area.
• According to Dr. Elaine Canning, Deputy Director of the Research Institute for Arts and Humanities (RIAH), "The exhibition at the National Waterfront Museum provides a great opportunity to celebrate and showcase the achievements of our postgraduate researchers. Thanks to funding from the Research Institute for Arts and Humanities, we have developed an innovative and successful heritage program that has given students the chance to improve their employability prospects and their experience of networking in the heritage sector, and they are learning how to engage effectively with impact agendas and knowledge exchange."