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Project Number 5106
Project Brief
Historic Environment Research Strategy for Greater
London
Invitation to tender
The compilation of The Archaeology of Greater London was an extensive process that
reflected the great wealth of archaeology across the Capital’s Region, and demonstrated the
particular needs of synthesis of such data. It was hoped that it would advance academic
understanding and interest, as well as provide a better basis for curatorial judgements on
the management of the archaeological resource; stimulate debate, questioning its ideas, and
the formulation of new agendas (R. Thomas, Foreword Research framework for Greater
London 2002).
1. Introduction
This tender document has been prepared by a Steering Group committed to
promoting and supporting the development of research frameworks for the historic
environment of Greater London. A primary aim is to enable the varied sectors
within historic environment management and research to implement the previously
published research agenda through the creation of a collaborative research strategy.
This will ensure that research priorities are embedded in future work as well as
sustaining long term objectives.
The research strategy will be a ‘high-level’ document which demonstrates innovative
thinking and vision; it will encompass all facets of the historic environment of the
London Region. It will propose practical options for tackling the key research
priorities and indicate those bodies which can attempt them. It will identify
opportunities for making advances in knowledge accessible to a wide constituency
and should aspire to enthuse new audiences. No specific model is being promoted;
we seek a proposal for a research strategy designed to reflect the context of the
historic environment of Greater London and its communities.
The Steering Group will contribute their knowledge and expertise, and financial
resources will be provided by a grant from English Heritage, subject to the
appropriate Historic Environment Enabling Programme (HEEP) Procedures and
Guidance. Further information on HEEP Procedures is available at www.englishheritage.org.uk/HEEP .
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2. Background
The background to this research strategy is provided by two previously published
documents: the resource assessment, published as The Archaeology of Greater London,
(Museum of London 2000) which sets out the current state of knowledge; and the
research agenda published as A research framework for London archaeology (Museum of
London 2002), which suggests future research directions. The research strategy will
therefore be the third and final component of the research framework for London.
The research framework has four principal objectives:
1) The effective management of the historic environment resource – to support
local authority decision-making, legitimise the intellectual return on
expenditure and facilitate links between research that stems from property
development and the academic world.
2) To target academic endeavour – to focus debate and provide a tool to guide,
facilitate and integrate research.
3) To realize the potential of the London’s Historic Environment Records and
Archives - to shape research from data held by these resources.
4) To disseminate the aims and access to the resources to as wide an audience
as possible
3.
Aims and Scope
Based on the results of the earlier work, the aims of the research strategy project
are to identify and prioritise key research questions and to propose the means by
which these might be addressed. The strategy will thus provide the basis for
prioritising planning, research, promotion, protection and sustainable long term
management.
The audience for the strategy is envisaged as falling into three broad interest groups:

The historic environment community
all those involved in the understanding and promotion of London’s past and
future, including curators, consultants, archaeological practices, county and
local societies, independent professional and amateur archaeologists and
historians, buildings historians, academic institutions, finds and other
specialists, archaeological scientists.

The public sector
including politicians, planners, and grant-givers, developers and professionals
working in the development process, regional and local authorities, planners,
conservation officers, heritage champions, regeneration agencies.

The general public
community groups, civic amenity societies, local societies, local residents,
faith groups.
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The research strategy should be relevant to the interests of all of these groups, and
should enable intellectual access to and understanding of the historic environment in
its entirety.
It should reflect the “holistic approach” for the future management of the historic
environment proposed in the DCMS Heritage Protection for the 21st century White
Paper. In this, the strategy will extend the archaeological remit of the existing
resource assessment and research agenda to include the wider historic environment.
The Research Strategy should therefore address the means by which the current
archaeological focus of the Resource Assessment and Research Agenda may be
broadened to encompass other relevant aspects of the historic environment.
4. Objectives
The objectives are as follows:
To elaborate a vision for London’s historic environment, what it embraces, and the
contribution it makes to peoples’ understanding of the Region, and the values they
place upon it. How research plays its part in engaging with this.
To identify the key actions that are required to develop the Resource Assessment
and Research Agenda from the current statement to a holistic view.
To identify the key actions that are required to answer the research priorities
already flagged.
To identify the potential user groups, their roles, and their needs.
To promote innovative directions for future research, and dissemination.
To identify the resources needed to maintain the Strategy as a functioning tool.
To link into the adjoining South East (East & West) and East of England regional
research framework, the Greater Thames Estuary Archaeological Research
Framework, Surrey Archaeological Research Framework, the English Heritage
Strategy and other relevant frameworks and strategies.
To determine means of measuring success year-on-year
5. Methodology
The successful tender will demonstrate the ability for innovative, high level thinking
which can synthesize a disparate range of specialist interests and deliver a vision for
the future. It should show how interest in the historic environment can be
reinvigorated through communication to a wide audience and to a range of potential
partners. The research strategy should develop themes and build upon the resource
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assessment and research agenda without reiterating either. It should be short,
succinct and easy to read.
The strategy is envisaged as having a 5 year life and will be subject to continuous
assessment during this period. A formal review will be held in year 4 to assess its
effectiveness and make proposals for the next 5 years. There is therefore a need to
ensure the involvement of the historic environment community from the outset.
This should include consultation during the preparation of the strategy,
dissemination of regular reports, project information and other relevant material
with a project website and other means of communication
The successful tender will demonstrate a clear methodology that will meet the
project’s aims and objectives. It should conform to the specification given in
Management of Research Projects in this Historic Environment and Appendix 5 of
the HEEP Procedures and Guidance for Applicants. The successful tender should
demonstrate the engagement of the historic environment community in the project
and should describe the mechanisms for co-ordination and project management in
collaboration with the EH project officer and the Steering Group.
The successful tenderer will facilitate meetings of the Steering Group (probably four
at key points in the project) and will manage communication with the Steering
Group’s corresponding members. The Steering Group will advise on the sector
consultation process, targeting a representative cross-section of the audiences
identified above. The steering group meetings will provide academic guidance and
peer-group overview.
The project, including timetable and budget, will be delivered to the terms set out in
the English Heritage contract.
6. Deliverables
The project deliverables will include:

A programme of work, within a one year timescale

A research strategy publication text, drawing on the resource assessment and
research agenda, and proposals for publication.

Proposals and a programme to review and update the strategy in the future

A web site and other means of communication during the project to inform
on progress and provide a forum for comments (delivered through the
EH/GLAAS website & linked to LAARC)

A web site and other means of communication delivered to EH/GLAAS to
host the completed research strategy and methods to update it.

A launch event

A project archive of collated data and text, for deposition with EH/GLSMR
and LAARC.
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7. Anticipated Qualities of Successful Tender
Excellent knowledge of the historic environment sector in London (academic,
professional and public)
Access to suitable venues and support for meetings/workshops or seminars
Excellent knowledge of Research Frameworks in general and London research
resources in particular
Excellent communication skills
Capacity to engage the London historic environment sector through existing
recognition and impartiality to a wide range of interests
Enthusiasm and commitment
8. Application
Tenders against this brief should be formulated as detailed Project Designs (please
see guidance documents at http://www.englishheritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1303). Prospective consultants should note the
chargeable elements of the project, the overhead requirements and the need to
provide costings in the requested format.
9. Selection
Tenders will be appraised at a formal tender board comprised of three appropriate
English Heritage officers. Their decision will be final; unsuccessful tenders will be
provided information explaining the board’s decision upon request.
10. Administration of the Contract
The grant award will be administered via a standard EH contract. If the tender is a
sole trader, rather than a limited company, association or partnership, then we
would advise that early contact be made in order that an Employment Status
Questionnaire (a requirement of EH/IR rules) can be completed in advance of
submission of a tender.
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11. Payment
The payment will be made through our grants procedure and is therefore subject to
the standard terms and conditions of the Historic Environment Enabling Programme.
Payment will be by BACS in stages, on confirmation that agreed project milestones
have been reached. Final payment will be made on receipt of satisfactory products
and formal closure of the project.
12. Copyright
Copyright on all reports submitted will reside with English Heritage, although a
third-party in-perpetuity licence will automatically be given for reproduction of the
works by the originator, subject to agreement in writing from English Heritage.