Tolerant Futures

This digital experience has been designed as part of the Co-producing Tolerant Futures through Ancient Identities project, funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The project is led by the University of Edinburgh together with Durham University, with input from nine heritage museums and sites across Britain.

Co-Producing Tolerant Futures aims to expose and challenge divisive uses of the Iron Age, Roman and Early Medieval past uncovered during the original Ancient Identities in Modern Britain project (2016-2019, AHRC-funded). Findings from this project showed that the Iron Age and Roman periods are often presented through dichotomies and exaggerated caricatures in formal and free-choice learning environments in Britain. The research also suggested that, later on in their adult life, people draw on these early impressions and dualistic understandings of the past to justify antagonism towards particular groups defined on the basis of ethnicity, culture and race.

Co-Producing Tolerant Futures through Ancient Identities challenges these uses through this digital experience and by developing education training resources to promote more nuanced and less binary interpretation of the Iron Age and Roman past at heritage venues and in primary school classrooms.

Team

Core research

Artwork

  • Philo van Kemenade - Creative Direction, Concept, UX Design, Lead Developer
  • Matúš Solčány - Concept, UX Design, Graphic Design, Front-end Development
  • Dr Elisa Broccoli - Museum Signage Graphic Design

Heritage Partners

  • National Museum Scotland
  • The Hunterian
  • The Scottish Crannog Centre
  • Great North Museum: Hancock
  • Vindolanda & the Roman Army Museum
  • Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery
  • Leeds Museums and Galleries
  • Butser Ancient Farm
  • Castell Henllys Iron Age Village

Advisory Group

  • Dr Gary Husband (University of Stirling)
  • Dr Gregory Mannion (University of Stirling)
  • Dr Hana Morel (University College London)
  • Prof. Harold Mytum (University of Liverpool)
  • Dr Jo Smith (University of Stirling)
  • Dr Matt Symonds (Current Archaeology)
  • Dr Tom Yarrow (Durham University).

Contact us

For further information about this digital experience please contact: