Following the recent “Meet Our Chancellor” session during which Durham University’s Chancellor, Dr Fiona Hill, spoke about 'Regional Redevelopment: Lessons from Germany', she joined the Durham UNESCO Chair on Archaeological Ethics and Practice in Cultural Heritage and Redhills CIO in co-hosting a postgraduate workshop on 'Redevelopment in County Durham – Heritage, Climate and the SDGs'. The featured photo shows breakout groups in discussion with Ross Forbes, Fiona Hill and Nicola Craddock.
The workshop explored how adoption of, and alignment to, the UN Sustainable Development Goals within the region can act as a catalyst and focus for projects, and pathways to redevelopment within County Durham and the wider Northeast region. Focusing on heritage and climate, students utilised the SDG framework to explore challenges and develop strategies and initiatives to address them with a focus on two major Durham cultural institutions – Durham University including the World Heritage Site and Redhills – and how they can shape, facilitate and deliver change within the County.
Students had the opportunity to learn how the Department of Archaeology is engaging with the Sustainable Development Goals within the heritage sector, and how Redhills plans to harness living heritage to revitalise the Durham Coalfield communities. During the workshop students identified different ways in which both institutions can integrate the Sustainable Development Goals within their work and champion new initiatives to achieve them.
The workshop was run by Dr Mark Manuel, part of the UNESCO Chair on Archaeological Ethics and Practice in Cultural Heritage team, in conjunction with Dr Fiona Hill (Chancellor, Durham University) Ross Forbes (CEO, Redhills / Durham Miners Association) and Nicola Craddock (Communications and Engagement Manager, Redhills). Nineteen students participated from the MA International Cultural Heritage Management, MA Archaeology, MA Environmental Humanities and MSc Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding.
Nicola Craddock stated that: “The students’ engagement and enthusiasm were commendable, as they shared some fantastic ideas on how Durham University and Redhills could actively integrate these goals. Throughout the masterclass, two key themes emerged organically: the paramount importance of placing the community at the heart of the conversation and the understanding that organisations should serve as facilitators rather than sole leaders.”
Our Department of Archaeology is a leading centre for the study of archaeology and is ranked 10th in the world (QS World University Rankings by subject 2023). We are an inclusive, vibrant and international community. Our students develop knowledge and gain essential and transferable skills through research-led teaching and lab-based training.
