MA Conservation of The Historic Environment
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MA Conservation of The Historic Environment
Tutors: Katriona Byrne Tim Lewis, PhD candidate, Guest Lecturer and Visiting Tutor
The postgraduate courses in Conservation of the Historic Environment recruited very well this academic year with students in Year 1, Year 2 and on a thesis-only module. The course is aimed at mid-career professionals or contractors with a delivery format of Friday and Saturday teaching, so most of the students are in full-time employment. It also attracts people who are changing careers and some newly-graduated students. This leads to a fascinating cross section of skills, interests and professional knowledge. The course fits in well with the expanded Birmingham School of Architecture and Design, with courses in historic landscapes and historic interiors, as well as a strong emphasis on conservation philosophy and understanding the significance of existing buildings and their sustainable futures. The course continues to offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for architects, surveyors, engineers, contractors or home owners. One of the important aspects of the courses is the number of specialist lecturers used to deliver the workshops, all experts in their fields and some at the forefront of new research. Officers from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the National Trust, Historic England, English Heritage and Historic Environment Scotland were amongst those who gave an insight into the reality of the industry. Site visits and tours were led by conservation architects and conservation officers and demonstrated conservation in practice on the ground. In Year 1 there were tours of different conservation areas. The course leader brought students around Digbeth to undertake area characterisation; then we
