BLUE SHIELD UNITED KINGDOM CONFLICT AND MILITARY ACTIVITY WORKING GROUP WEBINAR SERIES |
Are you a UK heritage professional?
Are you free Friday lunchtimes? The BSUK Conflict & Military Activity Working Group is hosting a free series of webinars about conflict and the risks to UK heritage, your obligations under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict - and how you can prepare your institutions for these risks. It will be hosted on
All are welcome to attend, but especially heritage professionals, students, and members of the armed services. The link to register can be found here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/dd026b0c-0ea3-4646-bb80-0c056ef6529c@9c5012c9-b616-44c2-a917-66814fbe3e87 |
Schedule
Friday, March 21: Emma Cunliffe, Protecting Culture in Conflict: A UK Perspective on the 1954 Hague Convention
Friday, April 25: Andy Davis, Current threats facing the Cultural Heritage Sectors
Friday, May 23: Timothy Fagg, The Need for Resilience within the UK Heritage Sector During Times of Conflict
Friday, June 20: Brittni Bradford, Rethinking Heritage Protection in the UK: The 1954 Hague Convention and Its Second Protocol
Friday, July 18: Nigel Pollard, Protecting Domestic Cultural Property in Conflict: Historical Perspectives from Britain and Italy in the Second World War
*No webinar in August*
Friday, September 26: Lisa Mol, The Hague Convention and Built Heritage in Conflict
Friday, October 17: Vernon Rapley, Managing Risk at a Major Institution
Friday, November 21: Joanne McCafferty and Rosie Lampard, The UK Government's Role in International Cultural Heritage Protection
Friday, April 25: Andy Davis, Current threats facing the Cultural Heritage Sectors
Friday, May 23: Timothy Fagg, The Need for Resilience within the UK Heritage Sector During Times of Conflict
Friday, June 20: Brittni Bradford, Rethinking Heritage Protection in the UK: The 1954 Hague Convention and Its Second Protocol
Friday, July 18: Nigel Pollard, Protecting Domestic Cultural Property in Conflict: Historical Perspectives from Britain and Italy in the Second World War
*No webinar in August*
Friday, September 26: Lisa Mol, The Hague Convention and Built Heritage in Conflict
Friday, October 17: Vernon Rapley, Managing Risk at a Major Institution
Friday, November 21: Joanne McCafferty and Rosie Lampard, The UK Government's Role in International Cultural Heritage Protection
Speakers
Emma Cunliffe, March 21
Protecting Culture in Conflict: A UK Perspective on the 1954 Hague Convention
What do you know about the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, an important part of UK law? You might think the UK won’t be in an active conflict in your lifetime, but we don’t know what the future holds. More importantly, the legal obligations and recommendations in the Convention provide a good practice framework for disaster risk reduction in many contexts, but are too often ignored. Whilst conflict, terrorism, and civil unrest pose their own unique set of challenges, many of which UK heritage institutions are completely unprepared for, the Convention provides a set of good practice recommendations for the UK heritage sector. This talk opens the Blue Shield UK 1954 Hague Convention webinar series (2025). Aimed primarily at UK heritage professionals, it will tell you about the Convention, and give a brief overview of the obligations under UK law, setting the scene for a year of expert webinars to provide the UK heritage sector with more information on this critical topic, as well as introducing Blue Shield United Kingdom, the UK branch of an international NGO dedicated to the protection of heritage in conflict and disaster.
Dr Emma Cunliffe is a Senior Research Associate within the UNESCO Chair in Cultural Property Protection and Peace at Newcastle University, and a member of the Secretariat of Blue Shield International. She is a Fellow of the Newcastle University Policy Academy, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. Emma has been actively involved with BSUK since its (re)founding in 2012. She served as Secretary for much of that time until stepping down in 2023, staying on as a Member. She has over a decade of experience in researching heritage protection and destruction and international law, particularly the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, lobbying for ratification and better implementation of international law and carrying out projects with partners on the ground. She carries out military training in CPP around the world. In the UK, she has been an active contributor to policy and lobbying regarding UK implementation of the 1954 Hague Convention, and to military training.
Protecting Culture in Conflict: A UK Perspective on the 1954 Hague Convention
What do you know about the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, an important part of UK law? You might think the UK won’t be in an active conflict in your lifetime, but we don’t know what the future holds. More importantly, the legal obligations and recommendations in the Convention provide a good practice framework for disaster risk reduction in many contexts, but are too often ignored. Whilst conflict, terrorism, and civil unrest pose their own unique set of challenges, many of which UK heritage institutions are completely unprepared for, the Convention provides a set of good practice recommendations for the UK heritage sector. This talk opens the Blue Shield UK 1954 Hague Convention webinar series (2025). Aimed primarily at UK heritage professionals, it will tell you about the Convention, and give a brief overview of the obligations under UK law, setting the scene for a year of expert webinars to provide the UK heritage sector with more information on this critical topic, as well as introducing Blue Shield United Kingdom, the UK branch of an international NGO dedicated to the protection of heritage in conflict and disaster.
Dr Emma Cunliffe is a Senior Research Associate within the UNESCO Chair in Cultural Property Protection and Peace at Newcastle University, and a member of the Secretariat of Blue Shield International. She is a Fellow of the Newcastle University Policy Academy, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. Emma has been actively involved with BSUK since its (re)founding in 2012. She served as Secretary for much of that time until stepping down in 2023, staying on as a Member. She has over a decade of experience in researching heritage protection and destruction and international law, particularly the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, lobbying for ratification and better implementation of international law and carrying out projects with partners on the ground. She carries out military training in CPP around the world. In the UK, she has been an active contributor to policy and lobbying regarding UK implementation of the 1954 Hague Convention, and to military training.
Andy Davis, April 25
Current threats facing the Cultural Heritage Sectors
This webinar will examine some of the threat sources that are impacting the cultural and heritage sectors across the UK and internationally including from organised crime, insider threats, terrorists and protesters. It will discuss the current security situation and steps that are or can be taken to proactively reduce and manage the risks the different threat sources pose. The remaining time will then be spent in a Q&A session.
Andy Davis is the Managing Director of Trident Manor Limited, a security, risk and crisis management consultancy, based in the northeast of England.
His security background stems from intelligence and security work within the military and the police, time as a diplomat responsible for the protection of governmental assets, and in the corporate sector.
He holds MSc. in Security and Risk Management, is a Chartered Security Professional, a Fellow of the Security Institute, and a Certified Protection Professional.
He has led on the establishment of Trident Manor’s Cultural Protection Services (CPS) which are now delivered globally to archives, museums, and other cultural venues. Andy has led cultural protection support for governmental bodies, national museum groups, and small independent to cultural venues. He established Trident Manor Training Academy which is believed to be the only training provider of CPD accredited cultural protection programmes in the UK.
Andy and the Trident Manor team continue to support the global cultural sector through ongoing social outreach projects aimed at protecting and preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
Current threats facing the Cultural Heritage Sectors
This webinar will examine some of the threat sources that are impacting the cultural and heritage sectors across the UK and internationally including from organised crime, insider threats, terrorists and protesters. It will discuss the current security situation and steps that are or can be taken to proactively reduce and manage the risks the different threat sources pose. The remaining time will then be spent in a Q&A session.
Andy Davis is the Managing Director of Trident Manor Limited, a security, risk and crisis management consultancy, based in the northeast of England.
His security background stems from intelligence and security work within the military and the police, time as a diplomat responsible for the protection of governmental assets, and in the corporate sector.
He holds MSc. in Security and Risk Management, is a Chartered Security Professional, a Fellow of the Security Institute, and a Certified Protection Professional.
He has led on the establishment of Trident Manor’s Cultural Protection Services (CPS) which are now delivered globally to archives, museums, and other cultural venues. Andy has led cultural protection support for governmental bodies, national museum groups, and small independent to cultural venues. He established Trident Manor Training Academy which is believed to be the only training provider of CPD accredited cultural protection programmes in the UK.
Andy and the Trident Manor team continue to support the global cultural sector through ongoing social outreach projects aimed at protecting and preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
Timothy Fagg, May 23
The Need for Resilience within the Heritage Sector During Times of Conflict
The UK heritage sector faces ever increasing threats if not from conflict but also wider threats such as cyber attacks and climate change. There is a need to improve emergency planning and reassess the assumptions that inform emergency planning to better increase resilience amongst the heritage sector. A more holistic view should be taken where the usual mechanisms for support may not be available, emergency’s may be compounding and then considering the heritage sectors potential role in supporting UK society for success.
Tim studied civil engineering and surveying and then completed a MSc in Historic Building Conservation both at the University of Portsmouth. Since 2016 he has worked in the Heritage Sector as a project manager delivering conservation projects with both English Heritage and the National Trust. He has now taken up the position of Head of Projects at Portsmouth Historic Quarter, the charitable trust which looks after this Historic Dockyard at Portsmouth.
Tim joined the Army Reserve in 2011 with Southampton UOTC before transferring into 3 PWRR where he served as an Army Reserve infantry solider. In 2018 Tim was successful in his application for the newly formed CPPU and completed the inaugural Special to Arms course shortly after. He commissioned as Captain in the General Service Corp in Oct 2021 and has since undertaken the Human Security Advisor training and completed the US Army’s Ancient Monument Officer Training Programme.
The Need for Resilience within the Heritage Sector During Times of Conflict
The UK heritage sector faces ever increasing threats if not from conflict but also wider threats such as cyber attacks and climate change. There is a need to improve emergency planning and reassess the assumptions that inform emergency planning to better increase resilience amongst the heritage sector. A more holistic view should be taken where the usual mechanisms for support may not be available, emergency’s may be compounding and then considering the heritage sectors potential role in supporting UK society for success.
Tim studied civil engineering and surveying and then completed a MSc in Historic Building Conservation both at the University of Portsmouth. Since 2016 he has worked in the Heritage Sector as a project manager delivering conservation projects with both English Heritage and the National Trust. He has now taken up the position of Head of Projects at Portsmouth Historic Quarter, the charitable trust which looks after this Historic Dockyard at Portsmouth.
Tim joined the Army Reserve in 2011 with Southampton UOTC before transferring into 3 PWRR where he served as an Army Reserve infantry solider. In 2018 Tim was successful in his application for the newly formed CPPU and completed the inaugural Special to Arms course shortly after. He commissioned as Captain in the General Service Corp in Oct 2021 and has since undertaken the Human Security Advisor training and completed the US Army’s Ancient Monument Officer Training Programme.
Brittni Bradford, June 20
Rethinking Heritage Protection in the UK: The 1954 Hague Convention and Its Second Protocol
Although the UK ratified the 1954 Hague Convention and its Protocols in 2017, many stakeholders remain unfamiliar with these legal instruments and their domestic implications. This event offers a concise introduction to key elements of the 1954 Convention and its Second Protocol, focusing on their significance for cultural property protection in the UK. It also explores how individual organisations can take proactive steps to support national safeguarding efforts, including legislative recommendations and actor-level considerations for implementing protection measures. In doing so, this session highlights the growing importance of the Convention's framework for protecting UK heritage in the event of armed conflict and encourages greater stakeholder awareness to support more effective implementation in the future.
Dr Brittni Bradford is a researcher in cultural property protection at Newcastle University. Her work focuses on the use of digital geospatial (GIS) mapping to support heritage protection, including the proactive domestic implementation of the 1954 Hague Convention and its Protocols, emergency planning and preparedness, and risk and damage assessment related to armed conflict and climate change. She is an active member of the UK Blue Shield working groups on Emergency Planning & Response, Armed Conflict, and Climate Change. Her background includes experience in museum collections management and emergency planning in Florida (USA), as well as archaeological fieldwork. She holds a PhD from Newcastle University, an MA in Museum and Artefact Studies from Durham University, and a BA in Anthropology (Archaeology) from the University of South Florida.
Rethinking Heritage Protection in the UK: The 1954 Hague Convention and Its Second Protocol
Although the UK ratified the 1954 Hague Convention and its Protocols in 2017, many stakeholders remain unfamiliar with these legal instruments and their domestic implications. This event offers a concise introduction to key elements of the 1954 Convention and its Second Protocol, focusing on their significance for cultural property protection in the UK. It also explores how individual organisations can take proactive steps to support national safeguarding efforts, including legislative recommendations and actor-level considerations for implementing protection measures. In doing so, this session highlights the growing importance of the Convention's framework for protecting UK heritage in the event of armed conflict and encourages greater stakeholder awareness to support more effective implementation in the future.
Dr Brittni Bradford is a researcher in cultural property protection at Newcastle University. Her work focuses on the use of digital geospatial (GIS) mapping to support heritage protection, including the proactive domestic implementation of the 1954 Hague Convention and its Protocols, emergency planning and preparedness, and risk and damage assessment related to armed conflict and climate change. She is an active member of the UK Blue Shield working groups on Emergency Planning & Response, Armed Conflict, and Climate Change. Her background includes experience in museum collections management and emergency planning in Florida (USA), as well as archaeological fieldwork. She holds a PhD from Newcastle University, an MA in Museum and Artefact Studies from Durham University, and a BA in Anthropology (Archaeology) from the University of South Florida.
Nigel Pollard, July 18
Protecting Domestic Cultural Property in Conflict: Historical Perspectives from Britain and Italy in the Second World War
The Second World War saw efforts to protect cultural heritage put into practice by national and regional authorities in most combatant countries. This webinar examines some of those policies and protective activities, with particular emphasis on the UK and Italy, and considers what lessons might be learned from that wartime experience.
Nigel Pollard is an academic whose research focuses on treatment and perceptions of cultural heritage in the Second World War and the application of that historical experience to contemporary and future conflicts.
Nigel has been a member of UK Blue Shield since 2012. He is a professor in the Department of History, Heritage and Classics at Swansea University in Wales. He trained as an archaeologist, undertook fieldwork in Italy, Tunisia, Syria, Egypt and the UK and published on Roman Italy, Africa and the eastern frontier of the Roman empire. Since 2011 his main area of research has been the treatment of cultural heritage in the Second World War, especially Italy, and his monograph Bombing Pompeii: World Heritage and Military Necessity was published by The University of Michigan Press in 2020. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
He was a member of the UK military Cultural Property Protection Working Group from 2015 to 2019, and subsequently contributed to the training of the UK military Cultural property Protection Unit. He participated in the consultation on the UK Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Act 2017.
Protecting Domestic Cultural Property in Conflict: Historical Perspectives from Britain and Italy in the Second World War
The Second World War saw efforts to protect cultural heritage put into practice by national and regional authorities in most combatant countries. This webinar examines some of those policies and protective activities, with particular emphasis on the UK and Italy, and considers what lessons might be learned from that wartime experience.
Nigel Pollard is an academic whose research focuses on treatment and perceptions of cultural heritage in the Second World War and the application of that historical experience to contemporary and future conflicts.
Nigel has been a member of UK Blue Shield since 2012. He is a professor in the Department of History, Heritage and Classics at Swansea University in Wales. He trained as an archaeologist, undertook fieldwork in Italy, Tunisia, Syria, Egypt and the UK and published on Roman Italy, Africa and the eastern frontier of the Roman empire. Since 2011 his main area of research has been the treatment of cultural heritage in the Second World War, especially Italy, and his monograph Bombing Pompeii: World Heritage and Military Necessity was published by The University of Michigan Press in 2020. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
He was a member of the UK military Cultural Property Protection Working Group from 2015 to 2019, and subsequently contributed to the training of the UK military Cultural property Protection Unit. He participated in the consultation on the UK Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Act 2017.
Lisa Mol, September 26
The Hague Convention and Built Heritage in Conflict
Our shared Built Heritage is protected by The Hague Convention in armed conflict situations. However, it is notoriously difficult to protect from use of weaponry such as bombing and shelling. Furthermore, the law does accommodate damage to heritage where it is deemed to provide sufficient military advantage such as its use as a military base. So the reality is that widespread damage to built heritage will occur during combat. What can we do to protect this heritage, either prior to damage or to prevent further deterioration once damage has been inflicted? In this talk, the latest scientific developments in heritage stone conservation are discussed, and the way these findings are implemented in the heritage professionals sphere.
Lisa Mol is the Professor of Geomorphology and Heritage in Conflict at the University of the West of England, and an expert in heritage stone deterioration, in particular that associated with active combat. She is co-Director of the Centre of Environment, Society and Resilience within the College of Arts and Technology, which fosters interdisciplinary research to enhance our ability to adapt to environmental crisis. She leads funded projects, including 'Heritage in the Crossfire', and supports initiatives and colleagues in conflict zones in the documentation and remediation of damage to built heritage, and is a Trustee of Blue Shield UK.
The Hague Convention and Built Heritage in Conflict
Our shared Built Heritage is protected by The Hague Convention in armed conflict situations. However, it is notoriously difficult to protect from use of weaponry such as bombing and shelling. Furthermore, the law does accommodate damage to heritage where it is deemed to provide sufficient military advantage such as its use as a military base. So the reality is that widespread damage to built heritage will occur during combat. What can we do to protect this heritage, either prior to damage or to prevent further deterioration once damage has been inflicted? In this talk, the latest scientific developments in heritage stone conservation are discussed, and the way these findings are implemented in the heritage professionals sphere.
Lisa Mol is the Professor of Geomorphology and Heritage in Conflict at the University of the West of England, and an expert in heritage stone deterioration, in particular that associated with active combat. She is co-Director of the Centre of Environment, Society and Resilience within the College of Arts and Technology, which fosters interdisciplinary research to enhance our ability to adapt to environmental crisis. She leads funded projects, including 'Heritage in the Crossfire', and supports initiatives and colleagues in conflict zones in the documentation and remediation of damage to built heritage, and is a Trustee of Blue Shield UK.
Vernon Rapley, October 17
Managing Risk at a Major Institution
This webinar explores the critical role of major institutions in managing risks to cultural heritage during times of conflict and crisis. The session will delve into strategies for safeguarding collections, mitigating risks, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. The webinar will draw on lessons learned from global and regional conflicts to help institutions improve their evacuation plans, prioritisation of collections, and temporary storage solutions. It will discuss how institutions can proactively prepare for crises, engage with military and governmental entities, and contribute to global efforts to protect cultural heritage. The session will emphasise the importance of institutional cohesion, ethical responsibility, and public engagement, offering actionable insights on managing risk, overcoming barriers, and ensuring the survival of cultural heritage for future generations.
Vernon Rapely is the Director and Principal Consultant for Vernon Rapley Ltd, an international consultancy serving the heritage sector. He has more than thirty-years' experience rooted in art crime investigation and museum security.
He is the Chair of the ICOM International Committee for Museum Security, a Fellow of the Antiquarian Society, a member of the OSCE Heritage Crime Task Force, the former Director of Cultural Heritage Protection and Security for the V&A, the former head of Art and Antiques Unit, New Scotland Yard, the Founder of the London Museum Security Group, the London Art Market Forum, ArtBeat, the National Museum Security Group and co-founder of the Security of Major Museums in Europe. He designed and delivered two exhibitions about criminal fakes and forgeries and created the V&A's internationally renowned Culture in Crisis Programme and Portal.
Vernon lectures internationally on art crime, heritage protection and museum security. He has contributed chapters to several books and appeared as an expert on national and international radio and television including The Antiques Roadshow and Fake or Fortune.
Managing Risk at a Major Institution
This webinar explores the critical role of major institutions in managing risks to cultural heritage during times of conflict and crisis. The session will delve into strategies for safeguarding collections, mitigating risks, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. The webinar will draw on lessons learned from global and regional conflicts to help institutions improve their evacuation plans, prioritisation of collections, and temporary storage solutions. It will discuss how institutions can proactively prepare for crises, engage with military and governmental entities, and contribute to global efforts to protect cultural heritage. The session will emphasise the importance of institutional cohesion, ethical responsibility, and public engagement, offering actionable insights on managing risk, overcoming barriers, and ensuring the survival of cultural heritage for future generations.
Vernon Rapely is the Director and Principal Consultant for Vernon Rapley Ltd, an international consultancy serving the heritage sector. He has more than thirty-years' experience rooted in art crime investigation and museum security.
He is the Chair of the ICOM International Committee for Museum Security, a Fellow of the Antiquarian Society, a member of the OSCE Heritage Crime Task Force, the former Director of Cultural Heritage Protection and Security for the V&A, the former head of Art and Antiques Unit, New Scotland Yard, the Founder of the London Museum Security Group, the London Art Market Forum, ArtBeat, the National Museum Security Group and co-founder of the Security of Major Museums in Europe. He designed and delivered two exhibitions about criminal fakes and forgeries and created the V&A's internationally renowned Culture in Crisis Programme and Portal.
Vernon lectures internationally on art crime, heritage protection and museum security. He has contributed chapters to several books and appeared as an expert on national and international radio and television including The Antiques Roadshow and Fake or Fortune.
Joanne McCafferty and Rosie Lampard, November 21
The UK Government's Role in International Cultural Heritage Protection
The UK’s International Cultural Heritage Protection (ICHP) Programme is a DCMS-led initiative aimed at safeguarding cultural heritage at risk from conflict, climate change, and natural disasters. Launched in 2016, in anticipation of the UK's ratification of the 1954 Hague Convention and its Two Protocols (1954 and 1999), the ICHP Programme works with a variety of organisations and stakeholders, such as the British Council Cultural Protection Fund, the V&A Culture in Crisis Programme, UNODC and UNESCO, fostering international collaboration to preserve heritage sites, safeguard intangible cultural practices, and support local communities. This talk will give a brief account of the Programme's history, objectives, methodologies, and impact.
The UK Government's Role in International Cultural Heritage Protection
The UK’s International Cultural Heritage Protection (ICHP) Programme is a DCMS-led initiative aimed at safeguarding cultural heritage at risk from conflict, climate change, and natural disasters. Launched in 2016, in anticipation of the UK's ratification of the 1954 Hague Convention and its Two Protocols (1954 and 1999), the ICHP Programme works with a variety of organisations and stakeholders, such as the British Council Cultural Protection Fund, the V&A Culture in Crisis Programme, UNODC and UNESCO, fostering international collaboration to preserve heritage sites, safeguard intangible cultural practices, and support local communities. This talk will give a brief account of the Programme's history, objectives, methodologies, and impact.
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Joanne is a cultural heritage protection, research and policy professional with experience in the delivery of large programmes that have supported cultural heritage preservation in ODA-eligible countries experiencing armed conflict and severe climate change. Joanne has played a particularly active role in promoting compliance with the 1954 Hague Convention via her publications and role as a UK Government Official. Recently, her work as International Cultural Heritage Protection Programme Officer at DCMS has afforded her the opportunity to represent the UK Government at the Regular Meetings of the States Parties to the 1954 Hague Convention, and other similar international meetings.
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Rosie is a Project Officer for the International Cultural Heritage Protection team at DCMS, where she manages a number of grants across policy areas, having previously delivered domestic grant schemes for Civil Society at DCMS. Rosie has worked extensively in the heritage sector, delivering projects for the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Royal Collection Trust and Archives: Wigan & Leigh.