The National Heritage Science Forum (NHSF) is undertaking a User Needs consultation on behalf of the Heritage Science Data Service (HSDS), as part of the UK's Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS) programme.
HSDS provides core digital research services to unlock potential for innovation in heritage science and conservation research, including a Catalogue of Services (equipment, and facilities available through RICHeS) and a Data Catalogue (heritage science and conservation research data).
This is the second year of a three-year user needs research programme run by NHSF to support the development of HSDS. Year 1 established baseline data on awareness and priorities; this year we’re tracking how things are changing and gathering feedback on newly launched services, including the HSDS Catalogue of Services and Data Catalogue.
Complete the Survey
The survey should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete and you can respond as either an organisation or an individual. The deadline to complete the survey is 15 June 2026.
About HSDS
HSDS is developed and managed by the Archaeology Data Service (ADS) in partnership with the STFC Hartree Centre and a consortium of UK heritage bodies. HSDS is funded by UKRI’s Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Unsure if your work involves heritage science?
Heritage science is a broad, interdisciplinary field encompassing technological and scientific work to improve our understanding of and ability to care for heritage.
You may wish to consider taking part if you have accessed data, equipment, facilities, or scientific reference collections related to dating, chemical analysis, technical imaging (such as MA-XRF), or other forms of scientific analysis.
You can learn more and read some of our heritage science case studies here.
Find out more about the National Heritage Science Forum: https://www.heritagescienceforum.org.uk/
Find out more about the Heritage Science Data Service: https://hsds.ac.uk