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New partnership with Historic England to focus on heritage challenges

23 February 2026
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Historic England partnership signing

We’ve signed a new partnership with Historic England to advance research and public engagement on North East England’s natural and cultural heritage.

Natural and cultural heritage

We will work together on key research areas including connecting natural and cultural heritage and exploring archaeology and heritage science.

This will also involve generating new knowledge on heritage architecture and the management and use of historic buildings and landscapes.  

A key aim of the partnership is to develop an understanding of how and why natural and cultural heritage work together.  

This could mean, for example, looking at both the cultural and environmental factors involved in re-wilding an area or decarbonising heritage buildings.  

Securing our heritage

The new agreement is part of Durham University’s Heritage 360 project (H360), which brings together academic research and sector challenges on natural and cultural heritage, offering a holistic response to ensuring heritage is secured for future generations.  

We are very fortunate to be part of a region with exceptional depth and breadth of natural and cultural heritage. Our Heritage 360 project and our partnership with Historic England will further ensure that our shared heritage is more accessible and better understood, for many future generations to enjoy.
Professor Karen O'Brien
Vice-Chancellor, Durham University

Heritage 360 projects

Partnerships are an essential part of Heritage 360. Some examples of projects already underway:

  • At the Raby Estate, near Barnard Castle in County Durham, researchers are jointly carrying out ecological modelling, archaeological investigations, interpretative and conservation work with buildings, landscapes, and collections.
  • We are involved with the National Trust Green Corridor national programme, based on three pilot Green Corridors in Teesside, Durham and the Tyne-Derwent Way. The pioneering £3m project is a collaboration between Durham, Newcastle, and Teesside universities, the National Trust and local authorities and community organisations. It includes community-led and co-created programmes to connect nature, history, and culture, biodiversity initiatives and wellbeing awareness.   
  • Our Department of Engineering is working with Atilim University in Turkey on earthquake awareness to help with the protection of the country’s architectural heritage. 
  • We have recently appointed Dr Colleen Batey as the first World Heritage Site Honorary Professor. Dr Batey will bring her expertise in medieval archaeology, lifelong learning and museum curation to the project. 
I’m very pleased to sign this agreement between Historic England and Durham University, which will further develop our strong relationship by allowing us to share our research and expertise in the management and contribution of our fantastic heritage.
Tom Frater
North East and Yorkshire Director, Historic England

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