Heritage, Risk, and Resilience: Managing Change in the Anthropocene

Your Honours degree or equivalent should be in a relevant subject. Ideally, students should have a 2:1 or above in their first degree. We will consider students with a 2:2, but the programme is not recommended for those with a low or borderline 2:2 (or equivalent) in their first degree.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
• TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking.
• TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band.

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate:

1. an in-depth knowledge of the key concepts and theories of the Anthropocene, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk management in relation to heritage;

2. comprehension of various international policy frameworks, institutions, and current issues in heritage in the contexts of urban planning, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction;

3. ability to interpret and compare the diversity of approaches in thinking and caring for heritage places and practices across different forms of 'local' with a focus on Indigenous groups and marginalised communities;

4. ability to critically analyse the opportunities and limitations that the ‘heritage as resource’ paradigm presents;

5. a range of research and writing skills that focus on collaborative and creative methodologies.

• Conceptualisation of the Anthropocene and a discussion of the debates that surround the term, its usefulness and limitations.
• Through various case studies and guest lectures, an understanding of diverse approaches to understanding and caring for heritage in times of crises.
• International policy and frameworks for disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and heritage
• A discussion of the SDGs, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
• Heritage futures thinking.

2 hour seminars each week in-person, supported with an additional hour of recorded online lectures, and one 8 hour field trip per semester. Self-study should be approximately 10-12 hours per week additionally.

• Report: Climate Change Adaptation Plan/ Post-Crises Recovery Plan for a heritage place, practice or for a museum. 3500 words.
• Speculative Fiction Assignment: Reflective work imagining heritage futures presented in a speculative, creative way. 1500 words.
• Class Presentation: 10 minutes.

Dr Vanicka Arora

This module focuses on risk and resilience in the context of heritage, focusing of different kinds of crises. Moving from disaster risk reduction and management to emergency response for heritage, post-crises planning, managing heritage in times of conflict, climate change adaptation. Students will learn how to assess and plan for different crises in the context of heritage and get a broad overview of international policies and legislation. This module is an innovative blend of theory and practice and is useful for professionals in heritage and allied sectors, policymakers, and community organisers looking for specialised skills.