Heritage, Authority and Power : Understanding Theory Through Practice

Heritage, Authority and Power - Understanding Theory Through Practice examines who holds power and authority in heritage, the connection with specialist knowledge and what the shifting nature of these attributes means for concepts of authenticity.

Drawing on interviews with practitioners working across the heritage sector, Wood explores why in some organisations staff feel disempowered, but in others they thrive. In exploring the worked experience of practitioners, a new model emerges for understanding the sector that recognises the differences between the activity of heritage and the work of professional practice. The model demonstrates that the sector is unknowingly operating with two different purposes, The activity of heritage, generated by and from, the collections of the past, is inventive, creative and entertaining, but operates for contemporary need and interest. The work of professional practice, meanwhile, although itself creative and supporting and enabling the work of heritage, is fundamentally concerned with long-term collection development, research and conservation. In recognising and embracing these differences, the function of specialist practice in relation to curatorship can be appreciated, but so too can the contribution of supporting specialisms, such as education, outreach, community engagement and design. The model presented within the book subsequently offers a more efficient and effective, forward-looking way to think about funding, organising and managing these two areas separately – but also in active partnership.

Heritage, Authority and Power is situated in the space between academia and practice and is useful for students, practitioners and for anyone interested, managing or working in heritage. It will be particularly relevant to academics and students engaged in the study of heritage, museums, tourism and visitor experience, and public history.

Barbara Wood is a long-term curatorial practitioner. She has worked across the heritage sector in museums, archaeology, archives, historic sites and grant funding. Her research interests focus on collections, interpretation and the role and meaning of historical materials in the present.