Publications
Ruderality and refugia in the ruins: heritage, alienation, and post-industrial naturecultures in Northwest Wales
This study reveals that the ruderal ecologies thriving in the abandoned Glyn Rhonwy slate quarry in Northwest Wales possess outstanding ecological, educational, and aesthetic value, challenging UNESCO's traditional nature/culture binary framework. By integrating landscape survey data with policy analysis, inspired by feminist posthumanism, it demonstrates that these 'weeds and waste' landscapes—often dismissed as insignificant—are critical biodiversity oases. The research argues for their recognition in global heritage policy, offering a new perspective on the value of post-industrial naturecultures.
‘The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales’ — A New Industrial World Heritage Site
UNESCO's designation of the 'Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales' as a World Heritage Site in 2021 marked a historic milestone by recognizing a cultural landscape of quarrying for the first time. The site, comprising six distinct Component Parts, showcases unique visual and functional relationships with Snowdonia and the sea, while also highlighting differences in extraction, processing, workers’ settlements, and transport. This recognition underscores the significance of globally significant quarrying landscapes as potential World Heritage Sites, supported by robust landscape protection systems and strong community backing.
Bastard Rock, Bastard Landscapes
Industrial heritage landscapes, often marked by complexity and contested histories, risk being marginalized under rigid UNESCO World Heritage management strategies. This study introduces the concept of 'bastard rock'—a term for quarrying waste—to critique one-size-fits-all approaches in preserving cultural landscapes, using Penrhyn Quarry in Northwest Wales as a case example. It advocates for relational landscape approaches that embrace active industry within heritage sites and buffer zones to ensure authentic preservation. By challenging conventional frameworks, the research highlights how such strategies may inadvertently diminish the very heritage they aim to protect.
Mining Things: Confronting Loss and Flux in the Slate Industry Ruins of Northwest Wales
The ruins of the slate industry in northwest Wales, once a symbol of a thriving national industry, are now recognized as 'geological scars' that serve as monuments to industrial capitalism's transformative and often destructive impact on both physical landscapes and social environments. This study highlights how prolonged absence from an area can shift perceptions, revealing the out-of-placeness of such industrial legacies. The research approach combines personal observation with a reflective analysis of the slate industry's ruins, particularly in Rhosydd Quarry and Cwm Croesor, to confront the loss and flux inherent in these landscapes. By re-examining familiar surroundings through the lens of historical context, the study underscores the enduring implications of industrial capitalism on cultural and natural heritage.
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