Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities

Host organisation: New Lanark Trust

Project title: World Heritage Site Interpretation Researcher

Project description

One of only six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Scotland, New Lanark is a remarkable 18th century mill village that became an influential model for industrial communities across the globe. This placement will involve assessing, researching best practice in, and posing suggestions for, the rejuvenation of heritage interpretation across the New Lanark site. Working with Marketing, Heritage, Estates and Operations staff, and in consultation with a range of user groups and stakeholders, the researcher will have the opportunity to propose accessible, engaging and high-quality ways of telling the enduring story of the site, which is recognised as of ‘outstanding universal value’, through physical and digital interpretation.

Outputs

Specific outputs from the researcher will include:

  • a report investigating interpretation and signage, both physical and digital, to include:
    • an audit and assessment of current interpretation and signage on site;
    • case studies/examples of recent, successfully received ‘best practice’ heritage interpretation in comparable sites, physical and digital;
    • findings from consultation with user groups and proposals for accessibility;
    • suggestions for priorities and next steps, including research into procurement as appropriate.

In person/remote/hybrid

Hybrid.

With time on site/with relevant colleagues and user groups, and time for writing up and desk-based research.

Benefits to the researcher

The researcher will gain valuable direct experience of working on interpretation and storytelling at a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Practical skills and experience developed will be:

  • research into best practice and leading directions in global heritage interpretation;
  • consultation with diverse user groups and stakeholders;
  • experience in the practicalities/restrictions/logistics for the management of a World Heritage Site;
  • writing/delivering a high-quality report with proposals for the future for a heritage organisation of global significance;
  • working with a diverse range of colleagues and stakeholders.

Key relationships

  • Key staff at all levels and from all departments at New Lanark, inc Chief Executive, Estates department representatives, Marketing & Heritage Leads, volunteer guides, and wider colleagues as relevant.
  • New Lanark Trustees
  • External stakeholders potentially to include heritage bodies, local council, audience/user groups.

Subject areas

This opportunity would be relevant to the following subject areas:

Industrial Archaeology; Architecture; Museum and Gallery Studies; Museum Policy & Management; Cultural Geography; Heritage Management; Policy, Arts Management and Creative Industries; Information and Knowledge Management; Cultural History; History of Science/Medicine/Technology; Economic and Social History; Scottish Studies.

Person specification

A1. Knowledge Base
  • Essential: Subject Knowledge; Research methods – theoretical knowledge; Research methods – Practical application; Information Seeking; Information literacy and management.
A2. Cognitive Abilities
  • Essential: Analysing; Synthesising; Critical thinking; Evaluating; Problem Solving.
A3. Creativity
  • Essential: Inquiring minds; Intellectual insight; Argument construction; Innovation; Intellectual risk.
B1. Personal qualities
  • Essential: Enthusiasm; Perseverance; Integrity; Responsibility; Self-confidence; Self-reflection.
B2. Self management
  • Essential: Preparation and prioritisation; Commitment to research; Time management; Responsiveness to change.
B3. Professional & career development
  • Desirable: Responsiveness to opportunities; Networking.
C1. Professional conduct
  • Essential: Appropriate practice; Ethics, principles and sustainability; Respect and confidentiality; Legal requirements; IPR and copyright; Attribution and co-authorship.
  • Desirable: Health and Safety.
C2. Research management
  • Essential: Research Strategy; Project planning and delivery; Risk management.
C3. Finance, funding & resources

  • Desirable: Income and funding generation; Financial management; Infrastructure and resources.

D1. Working with others
  • Essential: Collegiality; Collaboration; Team working.
  • Desirable: Equality and diversity.
D2. Communication & dissemination
  • Essential: Communication methods; Communication media; Publication.
D3. Engagement & impact
  • Essential: Public Engagement.
  • Desirable: Policy; Society and culture; Global citizenship. 

First published: 28 September 2026

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