The UK’s Association for Heritage Interpretation (AHI) turned 50 in October and it was a fantastic opportunity to attend this milestone event.
This year, in the same year that our ‘big sister’ from the UK turned 50, Interpret Europe reached its own significant birthday. The initial establishment of the informal European network which later became formalised as IE was 25 years ago (although IE was only officially born 10 years later). Several of IE’s founding and active members have also been significantly involved in the sector through AHI over the years and this seems a good time to reflect on our achievements, growth and increased recognition for the heritage interpretation profession. It is a real pleasure to feature the thoughts and experience from one of AHI’s newer members in our newsletter. Hopefully you may spot some parallels with the work we are doing and the future ambitions of both organisations aligning. Here’s to the next 25 and 50 years of heritage interpretation helping to shape a more inclusive future! – Editor
In an increasingly busy world, it’s not always easy to pause and reflect — but attending the 50th anniversary conference of the Association for Heritage Interpretation (AHI) on 8th October 2025 was an experience worth sharing. It was an outstanding opportunity to engage with professionals dedicated to advancing best practice across the heritage interpretation sector.
As my first AHI conference as a member, it was an invaluable opportunity to connect with colleagues and explore current thinking in the heritage interpretation sector. The AHI continues to play a vital role in supporting interpreters in the UK and internationally through professional development, training, and advocacy.
The keynote address by Dr Karis Jade Petty, ‘Into the Garden: Inclusive Heritage for Sight Impaired Visitors’, offered profound insights into accessibility and inclusion in outdoor heritage spaces. Her excellent work demonstrates how thoughtful design benefits all visitors.
Gaynor Legall CBE, Chair of The Heritage & Cultural Exchange, delivered an inspiring presentation — ‘Whose Wales? Reclaiming the Past, Rewriting the Future’. Her reflections on the multicultural heritage of Cardiff’s Tiger Bay powerfully highlighted the need for inclusive narratives that reflect all communities.
Her inspirational talk highlighted the men and women who helped build Cardiff’s docklands communities, despite facing discrimination, exclusion, and systemic oppression. Their resilience shaped one of Wales’s most vibrant multicultural identities.
Through her ongoing Tiger Bay and World project, The Heritage & Cultural Exchange works to preserve and share these important stories, ensuring that the lived experiences of Cardiff’s Black population and its diverse docklands community are remembered, respected, and recognised as a vital part of Wales’s national history.
Pete Roch and Jason Davidson of Squeaky Pedal films delivered an insightful presentation: ‘Beyond the Label: Unlocking Hidden Stories through Film interpretation’. They are an award-winning heritage film, animation, and television production company working with museums, cultural institutions and broadcasters to create inspiring and engaging content and immersive museum experiences that connect with diverse audiences that bring history to life.
Eric Langham’s session, ‘A Circular Economy for Exhibitions’, also resonated strongly, reinforcing the value of sustainable, reusable approaches — principles I apply in my own heritage art practice including my latest heritage art installation, Under African Skies.
AHI50 was both insightful and motivating, reaffirming the importance of interpretation in shaping inclusive and sustainable heritage practice.
Jacqueline Braithwaite is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and a retired Head of Design in FE & HE. Jacqueline is a mixed media & heritage artist, and she gives her time and experience to support the sector through being a Creative & Disability Advocate. She is a community researcher at SS Great Britain and is a Trustee & Advisory Board Member of the same museum and Beckford Tower which is part of The Bath Preservation Trust in Bath, UK. Jacqueline can be contacted at: jacqueline_braithwaite@yahoo.co.uk.
To cite this article: Braithwaite, Jacqueline (2025) ‘Reflections on the 50th anniversary AHI conference’ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 4‑2025, p. 25-26.
Available online: Newsletter winter 2025
