Bringing together specialists from history, archaeology, architecture, digital humanities, the creative arts, heritage science, and beyond, the Centre serves as a collaborative “hothouse” where innovative research practices meet cutting-edge technologies and creative experimentation.
Our mission
CfHRR advances the research, practice, and critical understanding of historical and archaeological reconstruction—from deep prehistory to the modern era. Our mission is to investigate and reconstruct past lives, environments, narratives, and material worlds through approaches that include:
- archival and textual research
- archaeological fieldwork and material analysis
- scientific and digital methods (AI, 3D scanning, VR/AR, photogrammetry)
- creative practice, performance, and artistic interpretation
- experiential and embodied learning
- collaboration with communities, heritage professionals, and industry
By integrating these diverse methods, we aim to challenge traditional boundaries of knowledge, develop robust theoretical and ethical frameworks for reconstruction, and open new avenues for interdisciplinary scholarship, teaching, and public engagement.
What we do
CfHRR provides a vibrant interdisciplinary “trading zone” where researchers, students, practitioners, and industry partners work together to:
- Reconstruct lost, marginalised, or contested pasts with accuracy, sensitivity, and creativity.
- Engage with new technologies—from machine learning to immersive VR—to generate innovative insights and public-facing experiences.
- Record, analyse, and reinterpret material and intangible heritage, making it accessible and relevant in the 21st century.
- Create partnerships across the cultural, scientific, and creative sectors, from museums and heritage bodies to the video game and film industries.
- Critically examine the ethics and politics of reconstructing the past, especially in a post-truth era where historical representation carries real cultural and social power.
A collaborative and inclusive vision
Our work is driven by the belief that understanding the past is essential for shaping a more sustainable, just, and inclusive future. We are committed to:
- reclaiming underrepresented histories
- supporting socially engaged and community-centred reconstruction
- translating past knowledge into contemporary practice, such as sustainable building technologies
- challenging reductive or misleading uses of history in popular media
- training the next generation of scholars, practitioners, and heritage professionals
Our network
CfHRR brings together over 60 academics, PhD researchers, and visiting scholars from across the University of Edinburgh, alongside external partners. Our network spans:
- Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), University of Edinburgh
- History, Classics & Archaeology (HCA), University of Edinburgh
- Literature, Languages & Cultures (LLC), University of Edinburgh
- Divinity, University of Edinburgh
- Science & Engineering (CSE), University of Edinburgh
- University Collections and heritage labs, University of Edinburgh
- National and international institutions across heritage, museums, media, and the creative industries
Our five thematic Research Hubs support major strands of work:
- Theories, Methods & Ethics of Reconstruction
- Technologies of Reconstruction
- Embodiment & Experiment
- Education
- Creative Worlds
Contact us
Directors
Dr James Cook, Senior Lecturer in Early Music, ECA, James.Cook@ed.ac.uk
Dr Tanja Romankiewicz, Senior Lecturer, Archaeology, HCA, T.Romankiewicz@ed.ac.uk
Steering Group Chair
Professor Jill Burke, Professor of Renaissance Visual and Material Cultures, HCA, jill.burke@ed.ac.uk
Hub Leads
- Theories, Methods & Ethics of Reconstruction: Dr Tanja Romankiewicz, Senior Lecturer, Archaeology, HCA, T.Romankiewicz@ed.ac.uk
- Technologies of Reconstruction: Dr James Cook, Senior Lecturer in Early Music, ECA, James.Cook@ed.ac.uk
- Embodiment & Experiment: Professor Jill Burke, Professor of Renaissance Visual and Material Cultures, HCA, jill.burke@ed.ac.uk
- Education: Dr Aaron Allen, Academic Skills Consultant, Careers Service, aaron.allen@ed.ac.uk and Dr Beatrijs De Groot, Lecturer in European Archaeology, HCA, Beatrijs.de.Groot@ed.ac.uk
- Creative Worlds: Dr Jess Bailey, Lecturer in Premodern Art, ECA, Jess.Bailey@ed.ac.uk
