The Mapping Heritage Toolkit Workshop on Tuesday, 21 July, marks the official launch and introduction of the toolkit. If you enjoy local history, lead a community group, or just want to explore how maps and storytelling work together, this toolkit provides a guide through 12 simple steps to co-creating a story map.
The steps were developed by the TOWN Observatory and the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group (LLLSVG), drawing on real experience of collaboration to build a story map from the beginning. Each step includes practical examples from LLLSVG projects concerning the Medieval Loughborough trail, Art Deco trail, and the Market Place, to provide insight into how ideas work in practice.
The toolkit presents a clear structure, providing one approach to creating a story map. Each step highlights key points for consideration in the synthesis of local knowledge, analogue resources, idea development, and creative execution using digital platforms.
For details scan the QR code below or register here.
Organising team Dr Robert G. Harland Dr Cristina A. Goldschmidt Kiminami Pegah Aftabi Greta Chen
Photo of the hybrid presentation, Dr Robert Harland presenting online from the UK and Dr Cristina Kiminami presenting in person.
On 19 May, the Federal University of Pelotas in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil hosted a presentation titled “Graphic Heritage and Cultural Mapping: an Anti-Disciplinary Perspective,” delivered by Dr Robert Harland and Dr Cristina A. G. Kiminami. Organised by the Specialisation Course in Digital Graphics and the Prograu Postgraduate Program in Architecture and Urbanism, the event attracted approximately 50 attendees.
The presentation provided new perspectives on the intersections of graphic heritage and cultural mapping, highlighting the significance of anti-disciplinary approaches in examining these topics. Dr. Harland and Dr. Kiminami facilitated active discussions and promoted the exchange of ideas, contributing to a productive session. They supported their argument by sharing an interpretation of anti-discplinary as:
Good scholarship must involve a tension between ‘discipline’ and ‘anti-discipline’ therefore. My starting point is that one of the most fruitfulways of maintaining this tension is through deep immersion in a discipline, combined with theconstant subjecting of knowledge deriving fromthe discipline to that developed in others (Harriss, 2002).
Participants commended the event for its innovative approach and the opportunity to engage with experts in the field. The presentation was considered successful and demonstrated the TOWN Observatory’s commitment to promoting dialogue and collaboration in digital graphics, heritage studies, and urbanism.
Acknowledgements: with thanks to Dr Tássia Vasconselos, lecturer in Architecture and Urbanism and coordinator of the Specialisation Course in Digital Graphics.
Harriss, J. (2002) ‘The case for cross-disciplinary approaches in international development’, World Development, 30(3), pp. 487–496.
On 18th March, 2026, the Living Knowledge Network – British Library hosted Dr. Cristina Kiminami and Dr. Robert Harland from Loughborough University, who presented their Heritage Mapping project. In collaboration with the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group (LLLSVG), the project explored the potential for using the ArcGIS StoryMaps digital platform to combine stories, interactive maps, videos, photos and local history in an engaging experience that makes history easy and accessible for all.
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Images from the webinar, from left to right: (1) Dr Robert Harland introduces the creation of the Medieval Loughborough project; (2) Dr Cristina A. G. Kiminami explains how the collaboration worked, (3) David Kirkby (right) from LLLSVG answering questions from the audience from the volunteer group’s perspective.
This relationship shows how local history and archives can reach more people through open dialogue, co-creation and the development of digital literacy. The webinar shared valuable ideas for local studies librarians, archivists, volunteers and anyone interested in urban heritage, revealing how storytelling and community involvement can bring history to life when universities and local community groups work together.
Watch the full recording of the presentation here.
Acknowledgements: with thanks to Krisztina Lackoi and Zuzzanna Needham for the wonderful opportunity and to David Kirkby for representing the amazing LLLSVG team.
The photo above shows the participants and Dr Cristina G Kiminami during the StoryMaps workshop.
This morning at Loughborough University, the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group (LLLSVG) took part in a hands-on workshop led by Dr Cristina G. Kiminami, with assistance from Pegah Aftabi. The session focused on ArcGIS StoryMaps, a digital platform for making interactive, map-based stories.
The LLLSVG and the TOWN Observatory have worked closely together since January 2025, with excellent results. The recent StoryMaps workshop was part of ongoing activity to support the volunteers to develop new digital skills.
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Above:(1) & (2) Everyone enjoyed some very welcome refreshments before the workshop; (3) (4) (5) Participants each worked on their StoriesMaps with Dr Cristina G. Kiminami providing guidance and support throughout the session.
The group learned the basics of the ArcGIS StoryMaps platform and how it can be used to share Loughborough’s history in interesting new ways. They each learned how to upload images, videos and audio, and how to create stories about the local area. Everyone was enthusiastic and keen to see what digital storytelling can do.
Learning how to use StoryMaps gives the Local Studies volunteers a new set of skills for sharing their historical research with the public, ensuring Loughborough’s heritage stories are preserved and go on to be re-shared into the future.
The workshop was another great example of the successful partnership between the TOWN Observatory and the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group. Further drop-in sessions with the group are scheduled to happen soon!
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Above:(1) &(2) LLLSVG and TOWN Observatory members who participated in the ArcGIS StoryMaps workshop.
This Loughborough Urban Heritage Doctoral Colloquium brought together four doctoral researchers from Loughborough University’s School of Design and Creative Arts to share their insights into urban heritage. Their research topics are outlined as follows.
Pegah Aftabi (Year three) · ‘Urban heritage’ is a concept used across a variety of fields; yet it extends far beyond expert-defined, monument-centric structures. Urban heritage is a present-centred, continuously evolving phenomenon defined by everyday interactions between communities and their environments. My research adopts a participatory methodology to study urban heritage from the local communities’ perspective in Loughborough. The project ultimately aims to create a digital map of community-centred heritage, not only to preserve heritage but to empower communities to understand their role in, and take greater responsibility for, its preservation.
Greta Chen (Year two) · My research investigates how locative narratives can be co-created to support the understanding, representation and constitution of everyday heritage. Focusing on Loughborough Market as a pilot site, I designed and deployed cultural probes to collect narratives rooted in lived experiences conveying cultural-heritage significance. Analysis identified four themes: spatiality, temporality, sensoriality and social context, which inform a narrative framework for the next stage: an AI-assisted co-design process for locative media and a distributed and inclusive heritage experience in everyday environments to foster community connection.
Sheida Yazdan Joo (Year one) · Leicester’s urban heritage is shaped by migration, cultural diversity and its representation through visual media. My research examines how film and photography construct narratives of the city, drawing on archival materials and contemporary practices. Through analysing the visual contributions of immigrant communities, the study highlights the role of imagery in placemaking, collective memory and the interpretation of Leicester’s evolving cultural landscape. It aims to situate these representations within broader debates on urban identity and heritage.
Alison Mott (Year one) · My practice-based research explores how participatory and co-creative storytelling activities centred on a town’s industrial textile heritage can bring to light overlooked experiences, strengthen the historical record and foster an individual and collective sense of wellbeing. Through oral history collection, creative-writing activities and intergenerational workshops involving older residents and university textile-design students, I examine how personal narratives can be elicited and shared, generating new forms of heritage knowledge and reshaping perceptions of place and the built environment.
Programme
12:00 Arrive
12:10 Welcome
12:15 TOWN Observatory overview
Speakers
12:30 Pegah Aftabi – The local community perspective
12:45 Greta Chen – Everyday heritage
13:00 Alison Mott – Industrial textile heritage
13:15 Sheida Yazdan Joo – Migration and cultural diversity
The TOWN Observatory (TO) participated in the Loughborough Heritage Open Weekend held on September 20th and 21st. During the event, the team was based at the Careers and Enterprise Hub, where they showcased the TO project and shared updates on its latest developments.
Throughout the weekend, the team offered presentations to the public, highlighting ongoing research and inviting visitors to engage in friendly conversations about the advancements and community involvement associated with the observatory.
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Above (read left to right): (1) Dr Robert Harland presenting the TOWN Observatory; (2) Dr Cristina A G Kiminami presenting the Loughborough Stories platform; (3) Pegah Aftabi presenting about a recent survey on co-creating heritage in Loughborough.
During the event, on Saturday, the TO presented the Loughborough Stories platform, featuring the new Medieval Loughborough initiative undertaken in partnership with the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group (LLLSVG). The Heritage Open Weekend also featured an inaugural Medieval Loughborough Walk promoted and hosted by LLLSVG. Following this, the Colouring Loughborough team also shared their work and was available for walk in sessions.
(4) Mihyun Kim, Pegah Aftabi, Dr Cristina A G Kiminami, and Dr Robert Harland at the Careers and Enterprise Hub ready to welcome the public on Saturday
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Above (read left to right):(5) David Kirkby, Christina Harris, and Sharon Gray from the LLLSVG team visiting the TOWN Observatory. (6) TOWN Observatory leaflets (including a map) available to the public. (7) The Medieval Loughborough Walk promoted and hosted by LLLSVG
The event also provided the opportunity to showcase innovative PhD research and early findings through interactive mapping activities with the public and ongoing collaborators.
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Above (8 and 9): The interactive mapping activity conducted by Pegah Aftabi at the Heritage Open Weekend. This session involved an investigation of communities interactions with listed buildings in Loughborough.
On Sunday, other members of the TOWN Observatory team were present. The main highlights were the sharing of the Loughborough in Motion and Chat Loughborough platforms. Several other doctoral researchers also showcased their work.
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Above (read left to right): (10) Matt Beenchey, Tong Chen, Dr Asya Natapov, Wenjie Chen, Mohamed Shamroukh, (11) The TOWN Observatory team presenting the Loughborough in Motion Platform.
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Jill Vincent, Pete Hitchings, Bhavna Patel and John Weightman for their support in facilitating this activity.
Dr Cristina A. G. Kiminami presenting the paper at the Participatory Culture Panel.
AMPS Livable Cities Lisbon, was staged at the Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE). The conference examined the city as a site of livability across times and places, uses the host city as a point of departure for examining the varied issues at play when we think about livability.
Among the many interdisciplinary themes presented in this event, Dr Cristina A. G. Kiminami presented the paper in the Participatory Cultures panel concerning the Heritage Stories: A Mapping Practice Case Study with the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group. This paper, co-authored by Dr C. A. G. Kiminami; Dr A. F. Barata and Dr R. G. Harland, is part of an ongoing research impact agenda with the library volunteer group.
The presentation was about a new initiative proposed by the TOWN Observatory team – Medieval Loughborough – a StoryMap developed by one of the scoping projects in collaboration with the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group. The presentation shared the process, objectives, and final results achieved through this collaboration.
The Loughborough Heritage Forum occurred on June 23rd at the Longcliffe Golf Club. This event serves as an essential gathering for various groups and community members to come together and discuss the rich heritage of Loughborough. The event featured brief updates from regular attendees:
Sharon Gray, Forum Chair, and member of Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group. Jess Vollar Bell, CEO of the Generator. Nick Shaw, Charnwood Borough Council Events Team, Economic. Development and Regeneration. Elizabeth Woledge, new MD of Taylor’s Bell Foundry Museum. Shirley Novak, Charnwood Arts. John Dimmick, Parish Green Ltd. Lez Cope Newman, Chairof the BID and Love Loughborough. Cllr, Jenni Tillotson, Cabinet member and Deputy Leader Charnwood Borough Council. Roger Wilson, Warden at All Saints Parish Church. John Weitzel, Archivist of the Grammar School. Sue Selfe, Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group. Pippa Vidal Davies, Culture Leicestershire. Lynne Dyer, Lynneaboutloughborough blog. Lucy Bishop, Loughborough Library. Mel Gould, Carillon. Janine Williams, Director of Tourism at Go Leicestershire. Lisa Burns-Kent, The Loughborough Building Society. Deborah Moxom, Researcher, Alexandra’s Bedspread, and Chair of Friends of the Charnwood Museum. Liz Dunajewska, Friends of Charnwood Museum. Cllr. Anne Gray, Lead Member for Leisure and Tourism at Charnwood Borough Council. Simon Birchall, a Director of the Generator. Jill Vincent, Loughborough Heritage Open Weekend.
Following Dr Aline Moreira Fernandes Barata’s initial contact and attendance at the forum in 2024, invited back were Dr Robert Harland, Dr Cristina Kiminami and Mihyun Kim to provide an update on the activities of the TOWN Observatory. They provided valuable insights on how heritage information about Loughborough is being developed and shared on four digital platforms of the TOWN Observatory. Notably, it was explained how heritage is the main cross-platform theme. An updated pamphlet was circulated.
Jill Vincent opening the event.Lynne Dyer is saying some words regarding her Blog.Participants engaging in important conversations about Loughborough’s heritage.From left to right, Sharon Gray, Dr Robert Harland, and Jill Vincent.Meaningful exchange of ideas and perspectives among attendees.
The atmosphere at the forum was vibrant, fostering a meaningful exchange of ideas and perspectives among attendees. It provided the opportunity for participants to engage in important conversations about Loughborough’s heritage, ensuring the town’s history is honoured and remembered. Such forums are crucial for building community connections and encouraging collaboration to safeguard Loughborough’s unique cultural identity for future generations.
A notable highlights was a comment from Sue Selfe, who kindly acknowledged the enjoyable collaboration between the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group, and TOWN Observatory on the series of Heritage Mapping projects, particularly the recent interviews being conducted by Dr Cristina Kiminami with all the volunteers.
Photography: Snapshots of Forum members at the Longcliffe Golf Club, featuring discussion between Sharon Gray, Robert Harland, and Jill Vincent. (Photographs by Cristina Kiminami and Mihyun Kim)
As part of Loughborough University’s ongoing contribution to the Civic Universities Partnership on Arts, Culture and Heritage, a morning event was held on Thursday 10 April 2025 at Loughborough University, School of Design and Creative Arts. This session brought together academics and researchers to share insights into the role of the arts, culture, and heritage within research, education, and civic engagement.
The event began at 09:30 with welcome refreshments, offering an opportunity for networking before the formal programme started at 10:00. Dr Robert Harland started the session by welcoming the audience and providing an overview of the event. The first presenter of the day was Professor Emily Keightley who opened the session by articulating the university’s commitment to vibrant and inclusive communities. Following this, Dr Sam Edwards presented on Heritage, Diplomacy, and Transatlantic Relations: Experiences and Challenges. The third presentation was delivered by Dr Brendan Lawson, whose work examines Using Numbers to Report on Immigration. In the next presentation, Helen Young, from the university’s Library Services, addressed institutional efforts to increase access to our library and archives. Doctoral researcher Pegah Aftabi then presented her research under the title Co-creating Urban Heritage Narratives in Loughborough. Her work explores how heritage can be conceptualised and represented through the lived experiences of local communities, particularly in urban contexts. Finally, Dr Lucy Lopez, Curator of Radar, offered a unique perspective from within the university’s contemporary art programme.
Some of the presenters from Loughborough University
After a short break, the final session was delivered by The Impact Hub research team, under the theme of Mapping Heritage. Dr Robert Harland opened the session by setting the intellectual foundations for the team’s approach to digital mapping. Dr Harland introduced the TOWN Observatory, offering an overview of the broader project and the team members contributing through a range of associated sub-projects. Dr Aline Fernandes Barata followed with a comparative reflection on how heritage is represented across urban observatories in the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. She discussed the different paradigms that inform what is considered ‘heritage’ in each context and how digital platforms must adapt accordingly. Following this, Dr Taimaz Larimian presented how the age and history of buildings in Loughborough are being mapped on the Colouring Loughborough platform. Dr Cristina Kiminami then introduced Heritage Stories, one of the sub-projects featured within the Loughborough Stories platform. She reflected on her experience of working with the Loughborough Local Studies Volunteer Group, whose members actively contributed to the digitisation of the town’s unique and often overlooked heritage.
Case study on mapping heritage from The Impact Hub team
The presentations were followed by a half-hour discussion, during which participants were invited to reflect on the regional relevance of the projects and explore opportunities for future collaboration across the Universities Partnership. The event concluded with a networking lunch that provided time for informal dialogue and further exchange among the attendees.
The event stimulated further opportunities to share the extent of Arts, Culture and Heritage activities across the partner organisations in the future.
