7719 Historic Environment Research Strategy for the Yorkshire Wolds

In order to address heritage at risk issues and to leave a lasting legacy for the communities who live, work, pass through and have an interest in the Yorkshire Wolds and its stories, Historic England and partners wish to understand how and where to focus activity and resources to maximise the archaeological heritage of this unique landscape. We would like to base our approach on the geographical extent of the Yorkshire Wolds rather than the traditional method based on local authority or political boundaries. This landscape has strong archaeological and historic resonance and a very distinctive character. We wish to improve the co-ordination of research, management and public engagement with this landscape and would like to know where the best return for investment in terms of knowledge gain and public participation may be. To do this we are inviting tenders to develop this Research Strategy.

The project will identify the research strengths, gaps and opportunities in the Yorkshire Wolds, building on the overview of current research objectives and knowledge gaps at a regional and national level. It will create opportunities to identify and strengthen links between academic, professional and public participation and engagement. It will set out a dynamic and creative strategy for researching, exploring, excavating and presenting the stories of the landscape as a foundation for addressing the wider 'at risk' issues faced by a large number of heritage, and more specifically, archaeological sites..