The National Trust looks after places for everyone, for ever, but the world around us is constantly changing. Research helps us to understand these changes, learn more about the places in our care, share good practice, answer questions and find practical solutions to conservation problems.
We're an Independent Research Organisation recognised by UK Research and Innovation; a status only awarded to organisations with a strong ability to deliver research for the UK.
Whether we’re caring for a Tudor mansion, a rare butterfly, a precious habitat, a rugged stretch of coastline or a piece of artwork, we need evidence to make the best conservation decisions. Research helps us to tackle conservation threats – from mould in historic books to habitat loss and plant disease – and to understand their causes.
Research allows us to share good practice with other organisations or projects that may require advice. One project on how the planning system is working in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), for example, highlighted some problems. Measures to stop inappropriate development were not always being put into action in some places and through research we were able to suggest ways this could be improved.
The Knowledge Transfer Project with the University of Oxford helps us to share information about properties in new ways too. This exciting project, named Trusted Source, sees academics and National Trust experts using research to produce short, easily understood articles about history, culture and the natural environment.
We're an Independent Research Organisation recognised by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Our research takes place in many forms – from the PhDs we sponsor and practical testing of new conservation techniques to the hundreds of research projects we collaborate in or host at places in our care each year.
From discovering how to protect historic houses to following the lives of 1,000 northern hairy wood ants with tiny radio receivers, learn more about recent collaborations, including our collaboration with the University of Leicester to support our Everyone Welcome commitment.
Learn more about our research – from the PhDs we sponsor and practical testing of conservation techniques to the hundreds of projects we collaborate in or host each year.
Read our report on colonialism and historic slavery in the places and collections we care for and discover how we’re changing the way we approach these issues.