Heritage Hub | Heritage and Culture | University of Leicester

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Birdseye view of stalls at a fair in the Students' Union on Leicester campus.

Heritage Hub

Heritage and Culture

The University of Leicester’s Heritage Hub facilitates collaborations that combine cutting-edge university research, sector and lived experience. We support people and organisations to explore, investigate and celebrate their heritage, undertaking innovative data gathering and research to inform strategy and maximise social and economic impact. We are committed to researching and removing barriers to participation, working collectively and equitably through heritage to address inequalities – for example, in education and health.

We are based on campus, but work across our city and region, across disciplines and sectors to innovate inclusive, financially resilient and impactful projects and partnerships. We collaborate with organisations of all sizes, including local authorities, museums, heritage sites, libraries and archives, education and health providers, charities, community organisations and local businesses. We support and empower young people through learning programmes, placements, work experience and enrichment opportunities with a focus on local heritage.

Contact us

We facilitate sector and public access to University of Leicester expertise, collections and research and connect our students and staff with the rich heritage of our city and region. Bringing people and organisations together through heritage our mission is to spark innovative collaborations that make positive change in our world.

If you would like to find out more about the kinds of support and services the Hub can offer, please contact us at heritageuol@le.ac.uk.

Key people

Sarah Scott, Professor of Archaeology, Heritage Hub Director
George Lewis, Professor of History, Deputy Director
Simon Dixon, Associate Director and Head of Archives and Special Collections
Sue Wood, Heritage Hub Administrator

Events

Celebration of Heritage

Saturday 22 March 2025, 11.00am – 4.00pm

Students' Union, Percy Gee Building

Join the Heritage Hub for our popular Celebration of Heritage event. More information to follow closer to the event.

Creative Roman Day

Irchester Field School

Central campus trail

The University of Leicester campus is not just a place of study. It is the site of world-changing discoveries; it reflects more than 150 years of local history, and it is home to one of the finest collections of modern art in the East Midlands. Follow this heritage trail to explore some of Leicester’s best-kept secrets.

Explore the trail

Fielding Johnson Building trail

The Fielding Johnson Building occupies a prominent hill on what was called the South Field, outside Leicester’s original Borough walls. During its lifetime, the Fielding Johnson Building has witnessed some fascinating history and has had three main uses. The tour explains the building’s original extent and how it has evolved over time.

Explore the trail

Attenborough Arts Centre

Performances, contemporary art exhibitions, courses, workshops and more.

Archives and Special Collections

The Library has extensive collections of rare books, manuscripts, historical photographs, and personal archives.

Botanic Garden

Founded in 1921, our Botanic Garden boasts 16 acres of lovingly cultivated gardens

Centre for Endangered Archaeology and Heritage

Promoting and supporting research and collaborations in the field of endangered archaeology and heritage.

Centre for Regional and Local History

Dedicated to the study of regional and local history throughout England and Wales.

Centre for Urban History

The Centre for Urban History conducts cutting edge teaching and research in urban history and related fields.

East Midlands Oral History Archive

A joint project to conserve and develop oral history resources in the East Midlands

Institute for Advanced Studies

Fostering collaboration across disciplines to deliver ambitious, transformative, impactful research in a progressive, inspiring environment.

Institute for Digital Culture

Fusing technology and culture to generate new ideas in digital humanities, digital heritage, media studies, creative computing and data science.

Leicester Museums and Galleries

A range of museums, heritage venues, galleries, exhibitions and events.

Literary Leicester

The University of Leicester's annual free literary festival, open to all.

University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS)