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PDFAgenda (100 Kb)
Missing Out conference agenda
Word DocumentBreakout Groups Questions (32 Kb)
Questions to be discussed on the day in breakout groups
External website linkMissing Out? debates and exclusive video interviews of speakers.
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External website link
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PDFThe Missing Out? conference 23/03/09 What you told us… (41 Kb)
Feedback from the breakout groups, plenary and evaluation forms of the key themes that emerged at the conference

Missing Out Conference

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English Heritage hosted a conference to examine how to broaden the appeal of the heritage offer, particularly to family groups, on March 23rd 2009. The conference brought together a wide range of heritage organisations, commentators, researchers and community groups to discuss issues of socio-economic status, and the different ways that people choose to engage with the past.

Speakers included Robert Hewison, Ben Cowell, Laurajane Smith, Maria Adebowale, Judith Garfield, Samuel Jones and Jonathan Douglas. Speakers addressed questions such as:

  • How do we broaden audiences to existing heritage sites?
  • What can we learn from outside the sector?
  • Do we need better representation of working people's history, or a more engaging general offer?
  • Have we managed to redifine heritage and challenege negative perceptions of who it is 'for'
  • How do we engage people in defining their own understandings of heritage?
  • How do different groups most enjoy engaging with the past, and does the sector recognise these means?
  • How important is it to provide a 'family friendly' offer in order to ensure that an interest in heritage is passed down generations?


Questions of the role of industrial/working class history, the interrelation of ethnicity and class and and methods for introducing family friendly activities in the arts, sports and museums sector were discussed in breakout groups.

New qualitative research looking at the preconceptions and experiences of lower socio-economic families at English Heritage sites were launched, with real relavance for the heritage sector and the wider sports and culture sectors.

We are very keen to keep this conversation going. Presentations from the day are available on this website, as well as the new research findings. Please enjoy the photo gallery and the films too.

We are very keen to hear  your experiences and opinions about these issues. Please email heritageforall@english-heritage.org.uk with the title 'missing out' with any suggestions, ideas or partnership proposals you have.

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