Richard Higham

Dr Richard Higham serves as a Research Fellow in Heritage Science Infrastructure at the UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage, part of the Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources at University College London. He concurrently holds a visiting fellowship at Cranfield University through Project ARKK, a collaborative initiative with the Georgian National Museum examining Late Bronze and Early Iron Age societal transformations (c. 1500-500 BC) in the South Caucasus region.

His academic foundation includes a PhD from the University of Brighton (2019-2024), an MRes from University College London (2018-2019), and a BSc from the University of Brighton (2013-2017). His doctoral research pioneered spatial modeling techniques to evaluate how archaeological assessment methodologies and heritage legislation influence interpretations of the archaeological record.

Dr Higham's research integrates Heritage Science with archaeological practice through three core pillars: geospatial risk analysis for cultural heritage preservation, investigation of museum collection deterioration perceptions, and sustainable heritage management frameworks. His work bridges computational approaches with material conservation, emphasizing practical applications for heritage institutions facing climate change impacts and resource constraints.

His recent publications demonstrate interdisciplinary rigor across conservation science, archaeological theory, and geospatial analysis. The studies collectively advance methodological innovation in heritage documentation—from England's historic buildings to Caucasus fortresses—while addressing critical questions about cultural identity representation in archaeological narratives through spatial and material evidence.

As Communications Officer for the UK national node of E-RIHS (European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science), he coordinates knowledge dissemination across the UK heritage science community. His Project ARKK collaboration with the Georgian National Museum establishes international field laboratories for investigating technological-societal co-evolution during pivotal Eurasian historical transitions.