The ACHTaxonomies Project

This project examines how we can develop a framework and linked taxonomies to better articulate the value of arts, culture and heritage on an economic platform. The project is part of the wider Culture and Heritage Capital (CHC) programme.

In October 2022, the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) opened bids for funding in order to develop a robust and holistic approach for capturing and articulating the value of culture and heritage. Research teams were invited to bid across seven distinct Strands of research, each comprising a distinct research question including 'Strand A - developing a taxonomy of cultural and heritage capital services (associated stocks and flows)'. The ACH (Arts, Culture and Heritage) Taxonomies or ACHTaxonimies consortium’s bid for this Strand of work was successful. 

The project began in September 2023 and will complete in February 2026.

Scope of the research

The ACHTaxonomies project will develop a classification system and taxonomy, of arts, culture and heritage that systematically articulates the multiple benefits (or disbenefits) and values generated by arts, culture and heritage in a way that enables us to give weight to arts, culture and heritage in wider economic appraisal and decision-making. In cultural economics, cultural capital is defined as "an asset which embodies, stores or gives rise to cultural value in addition to whatever economic value it may possess" (Throsby, 1999). In this context, arts, culture and heritage assets are 'stocks' which give rise to flows or services that can create benefits or disbenefits to society. For more information see DCMS Culture and Heritage Capital Framework (Sagger et. al. 2021)  and Culture and Heritage Capital (CHC).

We would like to hear from you

Call for evidence

What are your thoughts on any aspect of our core research questions? What evidence should we be aware of?

  • RQ 1: What is a taxonomy and what are the main parameters of a well-designed taxonomy? Lessons on how taxonomies are currently operationalised and key challenges.
  • RQ 2: What are the strengths and weaknesses of existing taxonomies? Learn from that work to date using best practice examples.
  • RQ 3: What classifications of culture and heritage do we need to understand and embed into a Cultural Heritage Capital (CHC) taxonomy? What work has already been done to classify assets? 
  • RQ 4: How do flows of services, benefits and values of CHC emerge?
  • RQ 5: What does a taxonomy of stocks, services and benefits for culture and heritage look like?
  • RQ6 How can we ensure that the taxonomy is acceptable to potential users?

Call for participants

Would you like to participate in our focus groups or workshops?

The ACHTaxonomies project has an extensive qualitative research programme planned for the development of the project outputs. The aim is to locate the research in the lived experiences and practices of stakeholders; informing, testing, challenging, and refining the emerging taxonomy; considering commonalities and areas of agreement/disagreement with the aim to develop a common language and a co-designed taxonomy.  

Call for case studies

We are seeking case studies to apply the emerging classification system and taxonomies in order to test and refine the emerging taxonomy. Do you have a suggested case study that we should consider as part of this work?

If you are interested in participating, please email us on [email protected]

 

Why are we seeking to classify and develop taxonomies for Arts, Culture and Heritage?

There is currently no agreed method for valuing the flow of services that culture and heritage assets provide to the people and businesses that engage with them (Sagger et.al., 2021). The ACHTaxonomies project will build on the DCMS Culture and Heritage Capital framework to develop a classification system and taxonomies in order to systematically identify and trace the linkages between the complex and multifaceted human systems from which cultural values emerge.

A classification system offers five functional benefits including (Legagneux et al., 2018):

  • a unifying language
  • an understanding of how all the elements of the Classification System interrelate
  • an improved identification of elements, metrics, and analytical techniques
  • an improved knowledge transfer among research efforts
  • improved knowledge management.

A classification system and taxonomies are necessary to operationalise the CHC approach.

The project will deliver research that is grounded in academic rigour, drawing on theory and practice from the arts and humanities, economics and natural sciences. It will consider the lessons and experiences of other sectors, as well as existing thinking within arts, culture and heritage to develop a systematic, interdisciplinary framework for understanding and classifying arts culture and heritage the multiple benefits/disbenefits that arise from a flow of CHC services.  

The ACHTaxonomies Project Consortium

The ACHTaxonomies project is delivered by a Consortium of academics, policy practitioners and consultants from the arts and humanities, natural sciences and social sciences including economics.  A panel of experts in the arts, natural capital, policy, heritage science and economics will provide support and challenge, whilst network organisations will facilitate discussions with arts, culture and heritage stakeholders. 

  • Adala Leeson, Historic England, Principal Investigator
  • Prof Patrizia Riganti, University of Glasgow, Co-Investigators
  • Prof Dave O’Brien, University of Manchester, Co-Investigators
  • Dr Hugh Brown, University of Leeds, Co-Investigators
  • Philip Carlisle, Historic England, Co-Investigators
  • Dr Nina White, University of Leeds, Post Doctoral Research Assistant (currently on maternity leave)
  • Dr Elizabeth Bennett, University of Leeds, Post Doctoral Research Assistant (maternity leave cover)
  • Dr Ajaz Ahmed, University of Glasgow, Post Doctoral Research Assistant
  • Dr Ricky Lawton, IPSOS, Sub Consultants
  • Kate Clark, University of Canberra, Sub Consultants
  • Lizzie Glithero-West, Lydia Gibson, The Heritage Alliance, Sub Consultants
  • Donovan D. Rypkema, Heritage Strategies International, Sub Consultants
  • Patrick Towell, Sophia Woodley, The Audience Agency, Sub Consultants
  • Andrew Mowlah, Arts Council England, Advisor
  • Colin Smith, Defra, Advisor
  • Edward Bayfield, Historic England, Advisor
  • Jen Heathcote, Historic England, Advisor
  • Ben Walmsley, Centre for Cultural Value, Project Partners
  • Trevor MacFarlane, Culture Commons, Project Partners
  • David Tittle, The Heritage Network Trust, Project Partners