This document discusses the relationship between heritage science and innovation. It defines heritage as valued objects and traditions passed down through generations, and innovation as new ideas, methods or technologies. The document argues that heritage science can help define the past, present and future value of heritage to society, and enable different elements of value to be adopted and maintained. It provides examples of challenges and opportunities for heritage science regarding the past, present and future. It suggests heritage science could have a wider role by addressing heritage in a holistic way and developing evidence, knowledge and skills to broaden its scope.

1. Qi3 © 2018 “Heritage Science and Innovation”
“From Cross-disciplinary Research To Heritage Science” Workshop, Florence, 2018 October 18th
Heritage Science and Innovation
18th October 2018
1

2. Qi3 © 2018 “Heritage Science and Innovation”
“From Cross-disciplinary Research To Heritage Science” Workshop, Florence, 2018 October 18th
Heritage Science and Innovation –
Finding Common Ground
Innovation
• Innovation is the introduction of new ideas, methods, or things. (Collins)
• Innovation is often also viewed as the application of better solutions that meet new
requirements, unarticulated needs, or existing market needs. Such innovation takes place
through the provision of more-effective products, processes, services, technologies, or
business models that are made available to markets, governments and society (Wikipedia).
Heritage
• Valued objects and qualities such as historic buildings and cultural traditions that have been
passed down from previous generations (Oxford)
Finding Common Ground
1. Key is defining the “Past”, “Present” and “Future” Value of Heritage to Society.
2. The role of Heritage Science is then to enable the different elements of Value to be adopted
and maintained.
2

3. Qi3 © 2018 “Heritage Science and Innovation”
“From Cross-disciplinary Research To Heritage Science” Workshop, Florence, 2018 October 18th
Heritage Science & the Past
Challenges and Opportunities
• Threats to Heritage
– Environment,
– Tourism,
– War,
• Opportunities
– Digitisation and Communications Technologies
– Media
Engagement with Other Sectors
• Heritage Services Industry
Key Issue: Dissemination of Heritage Science Knowledge
Some Innovations for Heritage Science
• Systems Dynamics Example: Wider Consequences of Preservation Actions
• Nano-technologies
• Hyperspectral Imaging
3
– Migration,
– Natural Disaster,
– Climate Change,
– Natural Processes

4. Qi3 © 2018 “Heritage Science and Innovation”
“From Cross-disciplinary Research To Heritage Science” Workshop, Florence, 2018 October 18th
Heritage Science and Today
Challenges and Opportunities
• Urbanisation
• Infrastructure
• Agriculture
Engagement with Other Sectors
• Infrastructure Owners (Rail / Road / etc)
• Engineering Consultants
• Construction Companies
• Civic Planners
Key Issue: Facilitate Optimal Interactions Between Heritage and Progress
Some Innovations for Heritage Science
• Ground Penetrating Radar from Space Example: 2km Subsurface Imaging Range
with 20cm Spatial Resolution
• Building Information Modelling (BIM) Example: Project Iceberg
• Artificial Intelligence and Archive Management
4

5. Qi3 © 2018 “Heritage Science and Innovation”
“From Cross-disciplinary Research To Heritage Science” Workshop, Florence, 2018 October 18th
Heritage Science and the Future
Challenges and Opportunities
• Wider Engagement with Society
• Mental Health
• Communities and Place
Engagement with Other Sectors
• Clinicians / Psychiatrists / Psychologists
• Local Government / Economists / Planners
• Land Owners / Ecologists / Agriculturalists
• Entrepreneurs
Key Issue: Identifying New & Additional Value of Heritage and Enabling Its Adoption
Some Innovations for Heritage Science
• Heritage role in culture and societies Example: Heritage Conservation and Social Capital
• Access to Heritage for Entrepreneurs
• Longitudinal Ecology techniques
• Heritage and Mental Health
5
• New Services and Products
• Landscapes

6. Qi3 © 2018 “Heritage Science and Innovation”
“From Cross-disciplinary Research To Heritage Science” Workshop, Florence, 2018 October 18th
A Wider Role for Heritage Science
A Challenge for the Heritage Sector
• Widen and deepen value offered to Society
• A “Janus” View of the World
– Address the past, present and future as a “Whole System”
Janus - the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, and
endings
A Wider Role for Heritage Science
• Develop the Evidence, Knowledge, Tools, and Skills necessary
• Broaden Heritage Science to include Social, Health, Economic, Other Sciences
• Develop “Open Innovation” strategy for entrepreneurs innovative new products / services
• From Heritage Science to a Broader Cross Disciplinary Research Scope and Vision
The Key is Innovation
• Thinking
• Solutions
6
• Adoption of New Technologies & Science
• Partnerships

7. Qi3 © 2018 “Heritage Science and Innovation”
“From Cross-disciplinary Research To Heritage Science” Workshop, Florence, 2018 October 18th
Contact Details
Qi3 Ltd
St John’s Innovation Centre
Cowley Road
Cambridge
CB4 0WS
Tel: 01223 422404
Robin Higgons robin.higgons@qi3.co.uk
7