Amelia Hayden
What motivated you to pursue this master's course in sustainable heritage management?
Whilst I studied history in my undergraduate degree, I professionally entered the legal profession and have been a qualified lawyer for around 5 years now. The University of Liverpool’s course by Ataa Alsalloum was not only in my home city but also had a focus on sustainability which is paramount in the current climate crisis. Having negotiated a non-working day in my job and feeling I needed to do something else other than the day to day I rang Ataa and asked about the masters and very quickly applied.
How would you describe your overall experience studying this master's course?
Positive: educational, fun, and informative. The course covered legal, technological, and societal challenges in heritage management giving a holistic approach to the topic. It encouraged students to explore your own case studies and areas of interest whilst providing and IHBC accredited course. This approach enabled students to choose to challenge themselves and play to their strengths in tasks and projects.
How did the master's course in heritage management prepare you for future career prospects in the field?
The academic element being a given, this masters course enables you throughout to meet with national and international heritage professionals from all sectors who are passionate about their projects and willing to share the realities of heritage management in practice. In the second semester this culminated in the opportunity to go on a semester long placement, and I was lucky enough to be placed with National Museums Liverpool where I focused on energy management. It was fascinating to see the balances that had to be struck in a heritage institution and helped me to understand the internal challenges and balances they need to make in reaching decisions and so I feel more confident in advising a heritage client as I have a greater understanding of their commercial needs.
Post-this master programme? Any ideas of what you’d like to do next?
I will continue with my law career but hope to be able to develop a heritage specialism. I also hope to continue with some academic work on my non-working day and potentially this may lead to a PhD…but let’s see!
Any advice for others interested in studying this master programme?
If you want to work alongside this course, it is possible. Let your lecturers know and Ataa was so supportive and accommodating it made it possible for me to continue to succeed in my day job and in the masters to a high level. But whatever you do, enjoy it and take every opportunity that’s offered to you - there are so many! Be organised to get the most out of it and think about what you are passionate about and pursue it!