The launch of a pioneering new Building History course, developed in a partnership between English Heritage, the University of Cambridge, and the Institute of Continuing Education, Madingley Hall, and led by IHBC member Dr Adam Menuge, has been warmly welcomed by the IHBC.
The course leads to a Master of Studies (MSt) degree, and is offered on a part-time basis over two years. It will provide the knowledge and practical skills needed to research and investigate historic buildings and areas, and to pursue a career in the heritage sector. It is hosted by the University’s Faculty of Architecture and History of Art.
The course seeks to redress a documented shortage of suitably qualified architectural historians, building archaeologists, and others involved in researching and analysing the historic built environment for purposes of management and conservation. It will promote a cross-disciplinary approach to understanding the historic built environment in all its facets, and will be taught by English Heritage staff, academics from Cambridge and other acknowledged experts. It will include a range of taught modules, a six-month placement in the sector and a dissertation.
The newly appointed Course Director, Dr Adam Menuge, has been assigned to Cambridge by English Heritage and will work closely with colleagues there, notably Dr Frank Salmon and Dr James Campbell. Adam has worked previously for the National Trust, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and RCHME and is a full member of IHBC.
Besides working on buildings of all types and dates Dr Menuge has extensive experience in the delivery of short courses at Oxford University Department of Continuing Education, within English Heritage and elsewhere. He aims, he says, to produce a course that will satisfy people’s real needs in the workplace, as well as fitting them for higher-level academic research where appropriate.
‘The course will provide a wonderful opportunity for those approaching the jobs market for the first time to establish their credentials in an exciting and competitive field, but equally it will enable those already working in this or related fields to consolidate and extend their expertise. I’m confident that the combination of academic excellence and real hands-on experience offered by this course will prove attractive’.
Applications are invited no later than 31 August for enrolment this October.
For more information contact Dr Adam Menuge at am2075@cam.ac.uk, or visit www.ice.cam.ac.uk/mst-buildinghistory.
