SAHGB-IHBC Heritage Research Award

Deadline: 31 August 2022

Further information: https://www.sahgb.org.uk/heritage-research-award

This new award – a joint venture between the SAHGB and IHBC – recognises and celebrates the quality of architectural-historical research produced by colleagues in heritage and conservation practice, as private consultants or on behalf of Non-Governmental Organisations, public bodies or comparable clients. Research undertaken for statements of significance, conservation management plans, and listing and other forms of statutory protection makes a significant, but all too often under-recognised contribution to the discipline and indeed to the quality of the historic environment. Moreover, methodological reflection on this work, and on heritage and preservationism more widely, adds much to practice of architectural history. Our Heritage Research Award will provide an opportunity to understand better the diversity of this work, celebrate the very best of the research that goes into it, and provide an opportunity to make it better known to other professionals and the public.

The Award celebrates research and critical reflection. It excludes specifically consideration, assessment or endorsement of any plans, projects, sites, advocacy or arbitration etc. linked in ANY way to the research, or the success, merits, demerits or otherwise of resulting advice, decisions or interventions. This separation between research and conservation outcomes mirrors the separation that the IHBC recognises between the advice given by an IHBC member to a client or employer and the potential decisions and outcomes that ultimately may be associated with that advice.

Winning work will receive a newly commissioned medal, to be presented at the SAHGB’s Annual Awards Ceremony. Winning work will be published on the Society’s website, and winners will be given an opportunity to present their work at an Awards Showcase event and publish a substantial summary in the Society’s magazine, subject to our standard editorial process and at the Society’s discretion. Winners will also be offered a free place at the corresponding IHBC Annual School.