Arts, Humanities & Place

In March 2023 the University of Sheffield partnered with the School of Advanced Study and the Arts and Humanities Research Council to host an event celebrating the achievements of  researchers involved in innovative, place-based initiatives. 

Held at Event Central in Sheffield, the event brought together researchers from across the country and showcased the profound impacts of their research on their local areas.

Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, chaired the event. In his opening remarks, he said,

“To recognise the contribution of arts and humanities, not simply for themselves and the value that they provide, but for the practical role that they can offer in our communities is really important.

“The arts and humanities are uniquely placed to meet the challenges of placemaking in the UK, because researchers have the knowledge and skillset to engage with communities and to work with them in celebrating their heritage and culture.”

The evening featured presentations from a range of research initiatives, including:

• Roots and Futures – a Sheffield-based heritage project exploring the links between history, place and wellbeing;
• Cross-pollination – a national project that provides the mechanisms and spaces for local groups to incubate cross-sector collaborative design initiatives;
• Saltaire: People, Heritage & Place – a project that supports the development of, and public engagement with, Saltaire World Heritage Site;
• Haunt Manchester – a public-facing initiative from Manchester Metropolitan University to promote the city’s Gothic heritage as a unique tourist attraction.