Detail of mural
Mural at former Lee Valley Water Company site, Chantry Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire
Mural at former Lee Valley Water Company site, Chantry Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire

Research Frameworks and Typologies

Historic England supports the development of sectoral research frameworks and reference collections to co-ordinate research and build partnerships.

What are they?

Research frameworks, typologies and reference collections are essential to provide us with an overview of current understanding, set out research questions and strategies and help us to  identify, classify and compare sites and artefacts.

They have an essential role in helping to assess significance and in supporting the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)  

Find out more about these research tools:

Research Frameworks

Reference collections and typologies 

Research Resources Strategy

Historic England supports the development of sectoral research frameworks and reference collections to help co-ordinate research and build partnerships across the heritage sector. This is guided by a strategy which covers the next three year corporate plan period.

The main objectives of the strategy are:

  • To develop key research tools to support the smooth functioning of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
  • To promote a better-coordinated research culture
  • To get the best research value out of commercial investigations.
  • To set out the criteria for Historic England funding of Research Resources

The strategy can be downloaded below:

Review of Research Frameworks

A recent review of Research Frameworks was carried out in 2013/14.

This was to evaluate the use, value and impact of Research Frameworks on the sector. It also sets out a number of recommendations for their future development.

The report is available to download below:

If you have any questions about the support and collaboration we offer to others involved in researching the historic environment, please email us at:

Dan Miles

Research Resources Officer
  • Department

    Capacity Building Team, Research Group
  • Address

    EC4R 2YA