South East Research Framework

The archaeology, buildings and historic landscape of South East England (East Sussex, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex) comprise an outstanding inheritance, that helps to give the region its distinctive character and sense of identity.

This historic environment is also a rich resource for education, research and leisure. But what do we actually know about the region's past, and what are the questions we want and need to answer?

The South East Research Framework for the historic environment is an opportunity for all those who care about the region's heritage to take stock and plan how limited resources should be used.

The South East Research Framework for the historic environment is very much a partnership of the four counties that make up the region, involving all sectors of the archaeological community.

We are very grateful to English Heritage for their financial support for the project.

Resource assessment

Groups of researchers are studying specific time periods, as well as more general themes, relating to the human history of the South East in order to produce a resource assessment.

This is a statement of our current knowledge of the archaeology and history of the region.

The resource assessment will enable us to build a list of the gaps in our current understanding, and identify research questions and topics, in order to form a research agenda for the future. We will then be able to develop a research strategy for investigation and interpretation of the historic environment of the South East.

Public seminars for the resource assessment took place in 2007-8. Notes from each meeting are available to view online,  your comments and feedback are welcome.

Resource assessment chapters covering various periods and themes will also be made available for comment before publication.

Research agenda

We are now moving well into the research agenda phase of the project, building a list of those aspects of the historic environment of the South East we would like to investigate further.

The South East Research Framework Research Agenda Conference was held on 26 April 2008, hosted by the University of Kent at the Medway campus in Chatham. 

Resource Assessment and Research Agenda Draft Chapters

Consultation drafts for the Medieval, Defence and Urban Landscapes Resource Assessment and Research Agenda chapters have been completed and can be viewed online.

Figures have been excluded from the present drafts but will be included in the published volume. Formal consultation will take place later in 2012 but any initial comments may be sent to heritageconservation@kent.gov.uk.