PhD Research

Amy's research will assess how engagement with heritage sites in the UK impacts visitor’s wellbeing. Comparative analysis of diverse visitor demographics at a range of heritage sites will investigate the effects of heritage visits on a variety of stakeholders. A combined quantitative and qualitative methodology, including widely recognised well-being measurement tools such as MWS and PANAS surveys, free comment space and visitor conversations, will be used to produce longitudinal evidence of change in wellbeing from engagement with heritage sites. Research will aim to understand the role heritage sites can play in creating healthier and happier societies. This timely and rigorous research provides a significant contribution to political, professional and public understanding of the impact of heritage sites on emotional health and wellbeing.

 

Aims:

1. Evaluate how public engagement with physical heritage sites can impact well-being and mental health of the visitor.

2. Understand how different types of heritage sites and diverse demographics of visitors positively and/or negatively impact on subjective well-being

3. Demonstrate the role heritage sites have in wider socio-political goals of improving emotional well-being and mental health

4. Provide best practice guidance for the profession & a rigorous framework for evaluating impacts of changes of wellbeing

 

Methodology:

The research will apply a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to ensure that results are not limited by specific methodological disadvantages, maximise data collected and variation and are contextually applicable. Qualitative approaches will include visitor conversations and informal non-leading open-ended questions. Quantitative methodological frameworks of wellbeing and mental health assessments, such as Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and Modified Wellbeing Surveys (MWS) surveys, will be used to assess around 400 visitors at four case study heritage sites. Sites will be selected via a heterogeneous sampling strategy to ensure results will be widely applicable to the heritage sector.

 

Visitors will be surveyed at two intervals (on arrival and directly after their visits) to the case study heritage sites. This will provide longitudinal evidence for change and allow the comparison of wellbeing before and after interaction with heritage sites. Approximately 400 visitors will be surveyed in total.

 

Statistical analysis of results will indicate percentage differences between mean results and significant changes to individual wellbeing after engagement with heritage. This will involve statistical hypothesis testing (via the Wilcoxon or Sign Test) to establish the significance of results.  Qualitative data will be analysed thematically to ascertain any recurring themes and both data sets combined to determine evidence-based conclusions.

 

Ethics:

Ethical approval has been granted from the University of Birmingham's ethical committee. Participants will be provided with a participant information sheet detailing the rationale behind the project and complete a consent form. Participants will be able to withdraw from the study at any point without providing a reason. Individual results will be confidential (using a participant coding system) and anonymised in research outputs, in line with GDPR and University’s data protection policies.

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This research is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council under the supervision of Dr Faye Sayer, University of Birmingham.