Heritage, Cultures and Communities research

This research theme spans a wide range of research that explores our cultural history and heritage and the ways in which contemporary communities create identity and social cohesion. It encompasses a variety of human endeavour, from questions of faith and ethics to the importance of transportation and smart systems for modern societies.

Researchers within the theme of Heritage, Cultures and Communities further investigate how our cities and communities will look and function in the future and how these and other topics are translated and mediated through performance, narratives, images and material cultures.

The breadth of research within this theme highlights the interconnectedness of contemporary cultures and the ways in which our past and present influences our thinking about our future.

This page gives you direct access to some of our key projects and offers links to the Research Centres and Groups, degree courses and PhD opportunities that come under the Heritage, Cultures and Communities research theme.

Heritage Hub

British Wittgenstein Society

winged skull carving in St Albans Cathedral

Open Graves, Open Minds project

In Pursuit of Luxury

Ethics of Policing

Culture Talks with Dr Sylvie Magerstaedt

Dr Sylvie Magerstädt

I am a principal lecturer in media cultures in the School of Humanities. My primary research is at the intersection between film, philosophy and religion and I am particularly interested in the recreation and representations of myth in film and television. I have written a number of monographs on epic cinema, science fiction and most recently TV antiquity (forthcoming).

As the leader of the emergent Humanities media group and in my role as theme champion, I am keen to support early career researchers as well as more experienced colleagues and create a research environment that encourages fruitful collaboration and exchange across subjects.

Theme Champion

View profile

Research Centres and Groups

Heritage, Cultures and Communities research at the University of Hertfordshire takes place across a number of Research Centres, Groups and disciplines:

Doctorates, degrees and courses

We offer one of the most diverse range of research degree programmes in the UK.

Visit our Doctoral College to find out more.

Get in touch

For more information about our Heritage, Cultures and Communities theme, please contact Dr Sylvie Magerstädt.