Partnership Case Studies - Arts and Heritage

Community 

We have an abundance of knowledge on local and regional history, and an established connection with Winchester Heritage Open Days, supporting a range of fascinating events, including lectures and guided walks to celebrate the history and culture of the local region, from the Romans and Anglo-Saxons to present day.  

Our annual participation in Heritage Open Days began in 2020 and has led to a wealth of benefits, including increased research and awareness of local and regional history, and experience for MA Cultural Heritage and Resource Management (CHaRM) students who support the coordination of the University’s involvement. Click to read more.  

Cutting-edge 

The expertise of our academics has been invaluable for the development of various technologies, media and films related to heritage. In recent months, Professors Ryan Lavelle, Bill Lucas and Christopher Mulvey have offered their insights to the 878AD advisory board, to support this state-of-the-art immersive experience based in the historical city of Winchester, in partnership with Ubisoft and the Hampshire Cultural Trust. 

Professor Bill Lucus said the University’s role in developing 878AD demonstrated “how academic research can be used to make a difference in the real lives of Winchester residents”. Click to read more. 

Likewise, the University’s Professor Ryan Lavelle, a specialist in Anglo-Saxon and early medieval and military and political history, has acted as a historical advisor for various projects beyond 878AD, including for BBC Two and Netflix’s BAFTA-nominated series The Last Kingdom- a fictional narrative of the birth of England which aims to be historically faithful. Click to read more.  

Consultancy 

The University is home to a number of consultants and contractors, including ARCA- the UK’s number 1 geoarchaeology contractor who have been providing reliable specialist services to a range of local, national and international clients since 2005. ARCA projects not only provide agile and cost-effective solutions for a variety of heritage management and archaeological mitigation projects, but also an opportunity for University staff and students to get involved in real-world project which contribute to the understanding of sites of importance. ARCA have supported Winchester City Council’s investigation of the ground below the Central Winchester Regeneration area.  

Professor Elizabeth Stuart, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, said "We are delighted that the University's ARCA consultancy will work together with Winchester City Council on the archaeology of the CWR scheme. ARCA's particular geoarchaeological expertise is ideally suited to understanding the archaeology beneath this historic city." Click to read more.  

Creativity 

As a University with dynamic programmes and research within the creative sector, we are also delighted to have successful partnerships with a range of organisations including Play to the Crowd, The Grange and Arts Council England. From bespoke events to innovative research and facilities, our commitment to contributing to local and national arts and heritage projects is central to our mission.  

In 2023, the University supported and sponsored the first Winchester Books Festival, a cross-community celebration of literature, attended by over 1,200 people in venues across the city.  

Vice Chancellor of the University of Winchester, Sarah Greer, has highlighted the triumph of this partnership in saying, "We are delighted the festival was such a success. A love of learning is at the heart of the University of Winchester and the festival has been a true celebration of the written word. We look forward to next year’s event with anticipation.” Click to read more.  

Contact us 

Email partnerships@winchester.ac.uk if you’d like to discuss how we can work with you.