Safeguarding heritage at risk: disaster management in UK archives, libraries and museums

A research project, March 2005 - October 2006, funded (£104,154) by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

The national cultural heritage in museums, archives and libraries is at risk from natural (e.g. flooding) and man-made (e.g. arson, armed conflict) 'disasters'. Past incidents show that these may destroy or damage collections and buildings, cause disruption to services and the loss of unique material forever. Effective disaster management can prevent or reduce the impact of such incidents. The project, undertaken in the School of Business Information, Liverpool John Moores University, aimed to contribute to the development of effective disaster management that meets the needs of archives, libraries and museums in the 21st century.

The AHRC funds postgraduate training and research in the arts and humanities, from archaeology and English literature to dance.  The quality and range of research supported not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.  For further information on the AHRC, please click here http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/

The Project was led by Professor Graham Matthews who moved from Liverpool John Moores University to Loughborough University in September 2006.