The opportunities of a global, shared research infrastructure for the conservation community

Abstract

Heritage science requires a combination of knowledge from a large number of diverse disciplines, transcending boundaries in a way that is often difficult, or even impossible, to achieve by individuals or small research groups. This paper reports on the latest developments in the advancement of a shared global research infrastructure representing an advanced research community that has been systematically developing since 1999, providing access to analytical facilities, research and networking. Most users of this network have been involved in scientific research. This current initiative is reaching out to all heritage sectors to ensure that the research being carried out is appropriate, necessary, relevant and accessible to all heritage professionals. This paper is a first step in this outreach to the conservation community in its widest sense. Our goal is to set up a dialogue in which common aims are identified and common solutions sought, to benefit all branches of heritage science.