Djabarouti, J., 2026.

'Making the Intangible Visible': Organisational Perspectives on Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Historic Environment at Historic England

Following the UK's 2024 ratification of UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, heritage organisations face challenges in considering how intangible cultural heritage (ICH) relates to existing frameworks. This article presents the first empirical study of how Historic England (HE) conceptualises the relevance of ICH within its statutory and advisory functions. Results from staff focus groups are organised across four areas: strategic recognition and statutory scope; internal capacity and institutional barriers; practical challenges; and co-creation and participation. Participants considered ICH interdependent with material heritage, yet noted constraints in remit, resourcing, workflows and skills. Five priority actions are proposed: 1) define ICH and community in operational terms; 2) clarify HE's interpretive role; 3) strengthen conservation frameworks to emphasise tangible-intangible relationships; 4) provide targeted training; and 5) develop co-creation models calibrated to institutional realities. The article argues that 'making the intangible visible' can clarify how practices, stories and lived meanings inform significance within the historic environment remit. Whilst not an official HE position, the study offers historic environment organisations insight into how ICH may inform interpretation and management of historic places within materially focused heritage systems.