ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú

Visualising the Past and Creative Heritage

From comic books and films to digital design and extended realities, members of the centre have worked on and supported an array of creative history research projects. We are interested in how artists and designers can develop innovative, complex and resonant engagements with the past. The impact of creative practices on communities’ engagement with their past and heritage is core to our work.

Digital Heritage

Digital Heritage is an interdisciplinary research area that investigates how digital tools and emerging technologies can be applied to document, preserve, interpret, and share cultural heritage. We examine the value, use, and impact of these technologies in heritage contexts, aiming to create innovative ways of understanding, conserving and engaging with cultural heritage in an ever increasing digital and connected world.

Heritage Science, Environment and Communities 

Our research explores the vital connections between heritage science, environment, and communities in a changing climate. By advancing innovative methods and community‑centred approaches, we foster collaborations that safeguard cultural heritage, strengthen resilience, and inspire sustainable futures. We bridge disciplines and institutions to ensure innovative solutions and that heritage knowledge drives environmental action and empowers communities to adapt, thrive, and lead change.

Conservation of (In)Tangible Heritage

Heritage takes many forms, from archive, museum, and library collections to historic buildings, archaeological sites, oral histories, and living traditions. It includes both the tangible and the intangible: physical objects and places, as well as memories, customs, and cultural practices. We explore and develop ways to preserve this diverse heritage, ensuring it remains accessible and meaningful for both present and future generations.

Site Lines & Motifs

In September 2025 the Centre funded ‘Site Lines & Motifs’, a stunning exhibition by Nicola Crowson and Tina Bird Wallbridge from ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s School of Architecture, Art & Design.

Site Lines & Motifs told the multi-layered story of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú over the years, using a variety of media to display beautiful collaged maps and motifs. Located in Storehouse 9 at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Historic Quarter, the exhibition perfectly blended with the historic surroundings that reflected the depth of the pieces on display.

Defence Heritage Futures Workshop

During summer 2025 we co-hosted the Defence Heritage Futures Workshop with Historic England, The ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú, Università degli Studi di Cagliari and SIRA – the Italian Society for Architectural Conservation/Restoration.

The workshop brought together architects and specialists from across the world to develop innovative adaptive reuse and regeneration strategies for Fort Cumberland, a nearly 300 year old scheduled monument in ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú, and the best preserved fort of its type in England.

The Trinity Test 80 Years On

Did you know that 2025 was 80 years since the first detonation of a nuclear weapon? 

An event co-hosted by us at the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú coincided with this 80 year anniversary to explore the human, environmental and political impact of nuclear weapons, through a series of talks, workshops and performances. These highlighted both the undeniable direct impact of events after the Trinity Test but also the influence of a looming nuclear threat on popular culture throughout the decades.

Image credit: Port of Call Media

Isle of Wight Biosphere Reserve Showcase

At the end of  2024, we hosted Nigel, cofounder of Artecology and Ian, director at Arc Biodiversity and Climate, for an evening of discussion about synergies and research opportunities between the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú and the Isle of Wight UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. 

Artecology is a research and development company that blends art, engineering and ecology, to implement ‘Nature Inclusive Design’ with a range of art and human inspired engineering habit solutions. There were many examples of their work to view, and even the participants of the talk had a go creating their own collaborative ecological habitat!

Daddy the Porcupine fish is talking to me! What should I do??

What would you do if museum objects could talk?

This collaborative project explored how people engaged with interactive museum artefacts at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Natural History Museum.

Using photogrammetry, the project digitised this taxidermy porcupine fish to develop an interactive experience using motion tracking of people's faces to engage audiences with the museum collection and make the artefact come to life.

Image credit: Dr Argenis Ramirez Gomez 

ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Area Railway Pasts

Revealing the hidden stories of local railway workers from the 1870’s to 1939.

This project is investigating the often overlooked life stories of local railway workers from the 1870s to 1939, a very significant time for the UK railway network.
A series of local public exhibitions have been created, showcasing these stories. Part of a collaboration between Havant Local History Group and the History team at the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú, and linking to the ongoing ‘Railway200’ anniversary, marking 200 years of the modern railway.

Image credit: Railway Work, Life & Death Project

The Sound of Worthing Pier: an immersive experience of the past. 

What cherished memories do people have of Worthing Pier?

Collaborating with local community arts group Creative Waves, Worthing Museum and Art Gallery, and Adur and Worthing Council, this research project centres on the cultural heritage of Worthing Pier. 

This project investigates creative ways of preserving, curating, and communicating the Pier’s heritage, using new approaches to audio-visual representation and by foregrounding the sonic experience.  

Image credit: Steve Whitford

Tyneham Unravelled

Did you know that there is an abandoned village on the coast of Dorset?

Tyneham is a village that was evacuated during the Second World War to be used as an army training ground for D-Day. Despite the military association, the village is now visited by thousands who enjoy its tranquillity and association with nature. 

This ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú project is collaborating with the Ministry of Defence, the local community, and others, revealing the hidden narratives of the site. The project uses creative methodologies to record and protect social, political, cultural and ecological heritage. 

Image credit: Lucy Sarjeant