One year of RICHeS: Impact, innovation and collaboration

This month, the HSDS Catalogue of Services offering a fresh way to explore the full range of services available across the RICHeS distributed infrastructure. Over the past year, project teams have been actively sharing their expertise at conferences, generating interest and creating opportunities for new collaborations.

As we move into our second year, the programme will be sharing case studies that highlight the diverse applications of RICHeS’ expertise, facilities and collections. Here, we offer a glimpse of early project activity, celebrating the first year of RICHeS and the ways it is already shaping research, policy and practice in heritage science.

Digital modelling in action with D-MACH

At Manchester Metropolitan University’s Centre for Digital Modelling and Analysis for Cultural Heritage (D-MACH), the project team have used new 3D modelling equipment to scan a Bronze Age spearhead mould, 3D print a replica, and use it for bronze casting. This innovative approach allows researchers to better understand ancient lives and processes, demonstrating the potential of digital technologies in heritage science.

*3D scan of Bronze Age spearhead mould from the collections of Oriel Mon, Anglesey. Image courtesy of Manchester Metropolitan University*

Influencing policy with the Science Museum Group

The Science Museum Group has been using their RICHeS investment to strengthen safety practices with hazardous materials. Working with the Environment Agency to advocate for a newly published regulatory position statement for the museum sector on retaining and safely managing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). By mobilising improved scientific knowledge and collaborating with government bodies, this RICHeS investment is already influencing heritage policy.

*Bottle of Apiezon “B” Oil for use in vacuum pumps. Credit: Board of Trustees of the Science Museum*

Through the 31 RICHeS investments, we are enabling heritage science to impact broader sectors, including sustainability initiatives. For example, Historic Environment Scotland has joined the external advisory board of the Net Zero Centre for High Density Buildings, led by the University of Edinburgh, bringing heritage science expertise to wider environmental efforts.

We will share more activities in our next post.