Heritage Research Gaining Momentum. National Research Agenda 2026-2030

Never before has an overarching agenda been developed to unite forces of the many different stakeholders involved in heritage research. The agenda was prepared by the National Consultation Panel Heritage Research (NAE) in close consultation with the research community, both the more practice-oriented and the theoretical, fundamental branches. The agenda identifies seven main streams or core themes designed to accelerate heritage research. The core themes are not intended as a definitive or static list but as a starting point to bring focus and coherence to the broad and richly varied research field.

Why a National Research Agenda for Heritage?

The 'Heritage Research Gaining Momentum. National Research Agenda 2026-2030' provides direction for scientifically and socially innovative heritage research. The agenda offers insight into the challenges facing the research field and formulates research questions that address current transitions. 

This is necessary because scientific knowledge about and research into heritage provide context and depth to public debate. Scientific knowledge about heritage provides a solid foundation for heritage management and policy - not only for heritage policy, but also for a wide range of other domains. Scientific knowledge about heritage contributes to broad prosperity and well-being, and to creating a sustainable future. It can serve as an anchor in times of change and offers future generations the opportunity to study heritage themselves.

However, this indispensable contribution of scientific research is not self-evident and is increasingly coming under scrutiny. Professionals and academics engaged in heritage research regard it as self-evident and relevant, yet for many people, 'heritage' and 'intangible heritage' remain unfamiliar terms and concepts.

National Consultation Panel Heritage Research (NAE)

The NAE consists of approximately twenty experienced researchers working at knowledge institutions, government agencies and societal heritage organisations. The Consultation Panel was established by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) and the Dutch Research Council (NWO). Together, the members represent many research disciplines, such as archaeology, landscape history, heritage conservation, museology and intangible heritage studies. 

The Consultation Panel meets twice a year to identify and discuss societal, scientific and policy developments that are relevant to heritage research. These reflections contribute to the advisory role of the panel in collaboration programs that stimulate and fund heritage research, such as: 

• Joint Programming Initiative Cultural Heritage (JPI CH)
• European Research Infrastructure Heritage Science (E-RIHS)
• Partnership for Resilient Cultural Heritage (PRCH)
• NWA Living Past route