Heritage contribution to wellbeing: towards closing the gap between policy and academic research evidence base

Eirini Gallou

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

Abstract

The paper discusses the implications of the different imperatives and undertakings of policy makers and academic researchers around understanding and measuring heritage contribution to wellbeing. It ultimately aims at proposing ways for alignment of research aims and outputs between the two arenas. To do that, it positions the discourse around well-being in both arenas within a wider theoretical framework, considering how intrinsic and instrumental values of cultural heritage are operationalised. It unpacks the different
definitions of well-being that have been analysed in recent research within heritage studies and the relevant approaches to measurement of well-being outcomes and the types of heritage assets linked with those. Utilising discourse analysis of recent UK policy papers and grey literature, the paper will shed light on how the narratives on heritage and well-being have been evolved during the last decade, and how they have been critically shaped through a parallel discourse on arts and museum sector. Emerging challenges specific for heritage sector like the lack of understanding of place-related effects on well-being are under focus. Finally the paper provides a critical overview of those intersecting discourses and suggest a set of steps for diminishing the gap between policy needs and academic research foci, through embracing a wider sets of analytical tools. The research is based on the literature review of the recent PHD thesis of the author, on developing a framework for evaluating social impacts of heritage participation, focusing on participants perceived impacts from set of heritage participatory projects, realised within NLHF funding.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 23 Aug 2020
Event5th Association of Critical Heritage Studies Biennial conference - London, United Kingdom
Duration: 26 Aug 202030 Aug 2020

Conference

Conference5th Association of Critical Heritage Studies Biennial conference
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLondon
Period26/08/2030/08/20

Keywords

  • heritage studies
  • policy makers
  • academic research

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Heritage contribution to wellbeing: towards closing the gap between policy and academic research evidence base'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this