Heritage Science Workforce Survey

NHSF was proud to act as the technical steering group for a labour survey by one of our member organisations, Icon (the Institute of Conservation). This marked the first comprehensive, UK-wide overview of the heritage and conservation science workforce.

The survey researched who makes up the heritage science community, the current workforce capacity and levels of demand to gain a detailed picture the sector as a whole.  It conducted a skills audit, identifying the strengths, gaps and needs within the workforce, and collected information on training, career pathways and  workforce conditions.  The project was delivered by Icon on behalf of the Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS) through the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

The survey closed on 31st August 2026 and the results will be evaluated and announced over the coming months.

View the Heritage and Conservation Science Workforce Survey (external link)

 

Outcomes

The results of this survey are being used to build a solid foundation through which to understand and support our heritage science community. 

The Strategic Framework for Heritage Science 2024-2027 identifies key areas of action to strengthen and focus heritage science work in the UK.  These boil down to three essential strands: enact measurable positive change for society resulting from heritage science, facilitate excellent research leading to new knowledge, understanding and innovation, and nurture an inclusive, confident, diverse and outward-looking heritage science community.  The project will address several priorities highlighted across the framework by:

  • Researching who makes up the heritage science community, capacity of the current workforce, and levels of demand.
  • Researching skills strengths, gaps and needs.
  • Addressing barriers to recruitment, retention and career progression.
  • Connecting, and enabling access to, research capability (expertise, facilities and FAIR data) across the UK.


The survey covered all areas of practice across the wide swathe of scientific disciplines interacting with cultural heritage.  This includes (but is certainly not limited to) archaeological, conservation, and built historic environment sciences.  It was open to all individuals engaged in heritage and/or conservation science activity in the UK, as well as employers of heritage science professionals and organisations that commission heritage or conservation science work.