Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

01/02/2023

DAOULA | sheen - Matters of Activity

For the past two years, EMKP Grantee Laurence Douny and the team have been recording the making of wild silks among the Marka-Dafing communities of West Africa. These textiles have a significant role in the material identity of the Marka-Dafing people in Burkina Faso, who use them to make ceremonial wrappers known as tuntun.

An exhibition on this research is on display at the Tieranatomisches Theater in Berlin until 29 April 2023! For more details, visit:

DAOULA | sheen // West African Wild Silk on its Way // Exhibition | Weaving // 18.11.2022–29.4.2023 // Tieranatomisches Theater // The exhibition »DAOULA | sheen«, which was opened on November, 17th 2022 at the Tieranatomisches Theater in Berlin, focuses on the natural formation and the cult...

31/01/2023

Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

The EMKP Call for Applications is now CLOSED. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit an application! We look forward to reviewing your proposals.

Stay tuned to our social media for the latest news from the EMKP, or visit our website:

The Endangered Material Knowledge Programme (EMKP) is a major grant-giving programme that supports research projects and communities to preserve their skills, traditions and wisdom.

30/01/2023

GRANTS - Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

Our closes in just 10 HOURS 🕐 Submit your application by 11:59 GMT, 30 January, to be considered for one of our grants!

The EMKP Documentation Grant supports the documentation of endangered material knowledge, while our Legacy Digitisation Grant funds the digitisation of research records about material knowledge. Learn more on our website: https://www.emkp.org/grants

The EMKP offers small and large grants to document material knowledge systems that are under threat and in danger of disappearing, as well as grants to digitise legacy material pertaining to endangered material knowledge. This includes knowledge systems associated with the making, use, repair and re...

27/01/2023

📢FINAL REMINDER 📢

The EMKP Call for Applications closes on the 30th of January 2023. Remember to submit your application by the deadline to be considered for our latest round of funding!

The EMKP offers grants to support the documentation of endangered material knowledge, and the digitisation of research records on material knowledge. To learn more, visit our website: www.emkp.org/grants

📸 Srijanchom, Sasicha (2020). Cutting bamboo into sections using machete. From Wuthigrai Siriphon's EMKP Project. http://ow.ly/AOPe50MxuOz

26/01/2023

Thank you to everyome who attended the EMKP Mending and Making workshop! We had a wonderful two days filled with exciting research and inspiring conversations.

Stay tuned for our reflections and to get the latest news about our events!

23/01/2023

GRANTS - Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

The EMKP is closing on 30 January 2023 📅

If you are applying for a grant to document endangered material knowledge, remember to submit your EMKP application to us! We offer Small Grants of up to £20,000 for 1-year projects and Large Grants of up to £100,000 for 2-year projects.

This year, the EMKP has also launched a new Legacy Digitisation Grant to support the digitisation of research records on currently or previously endangered material knowledge systems. The grant offers up to £20,000 in funding for projects lasting 1 year.

For more information and how to apply, visit:

The EMKP offers small and large grants to document material knowledge systems that are under threat and in danger of disappearing, as well as grants to digitise legacy material pertaining to endangered material knowledge. This includes knowledge systems associated with the making, use, repair and re...

22/01/2023

Mending and Making: Online Registration

THREE MORE DAYS until Mending and Making - a two-day workshop on mending and material culture hosted by the EMKP! We're incredibly excited to welcome speakers and delegates from 25-26 January at the Wellcome Collection, including keynote speakers Dr. Stephanie Bunn of the University of St Andrews and independent artist Dr. Bridget Harvey.

Tickets for our in-person event have been sold out, but you can still join us on Zoom! Register online:

"Mending and Making" is a two-day workshop on the role of mending in material histories, led by the Endangered Material Knowledge Programme.

20/01/2023

Mending and Making

The Mending and Making workshop is taking place next week 🛠 Join the EMKP Team at the Wellcome Collection from 25-26 January to learn about the latest projects by scholars and artists exploring the world of mending in material histories.

This event will feature keynotes by Dr. Stephanie Bunn of the University of St Andrews, artist Dr. Bridget Harvey, and a photography exhibition by independent creative Steven Bond on the theme of "Visible Mending" 📸

In-Person Tickets: http://ow.ly/lF8z50Mp8Yo
Register Online: http://ow.ly/BGxA50MpakW

"Mending and Making" is a two-day workshop on the role of mending in material histories, led by the Endangered Material Knowledge Programme.

18/01/2023

The baobab tree is a significant culinary resource for the Mijikenda community of coastal Kenya. Baobab fruits, leaves, and seeds are all edible, while baobab shells and fibres are used as raw material to make traps and utensils. EMKP Grantee Patrick Maundu and the team have been working with elders across nine sacred Mijikenda forests to record these endangered foodway practices for future generations.

Patrick's EMKP project is one of our Large Grants, which can last for up to two years and cover a wide range of material practices or geographical areas. Are you planning a project that involves work in multiple regions? Consider applying for a Large EMKP Documentation Grant! Learn more and apply on our website: http://ow.ly/n4Wv50MjRzo

📸 Maundu, Patrick (2021). Harvesting and processing baobab leaves. https://www.emkp.org/documenting-endangered-foodway-heritage-of-the-baobab-tree-among-the-mijikenda-of-coastal-kenya/

16/01/2023

Mending and Making

We've just released the programme for our upcoming Mending and Making Workshop! Explore the role of mending in material histories through the research of scholars, artists, and practitioners from around the world - taking place between 25-26 Jan at the Wellcome Collection 🛠

This two-day event will feature keynotes by Dr. Stephanie Bunn and artist Dr. Bridget Harvey. There will also be an exhibition of photography on the theme of "Visible Mending" by Steven Bond.

For in-person tickets, visit: http://ow.ly/O3J050MjSqJ
For online registration, visit: http://ow.ly/X10p50MjSx7

"Mending and Making" is a two-day workshop on the role of mending in material histories, led by the Endangered Material Knowledge Programme.

13/01/2023

Wooden boatbuilding plays a significant role in Southeast Asian maritime culture, heritage, and history. However, in recent years, this practice has been increasingly under threat due to changes in demand and decreasing supplies of raw materials.

EMKP Grantee Chiara Zazzaro and the team have been working with the boatbuilders of Bulukumba, Indonesia, to document this material knowledge system for future generations. Their goal is to create a detailed record of the different types of boats built in the region, the technical and cultural terms related to boatbuilding, and the life, rituals and activities of those boatyards.

To learn more about this project, follow the team's on Facebook at Pinisi Kita, or visit the project page on the EMKP website:

To apply for the EMKP Documentation Grant, visit: https://www.emkp.org/grants/

📸 Zazzaro, Chiara (2021). Boats in construction in the boatyards on Tana Beru Beach.

11/01/2023

Mending and Making

The EMKP Mending and Making event is still open for registration! Join us at the Wellcome Collection from 25-26 January, or tune in online for a two-day workshop dedicated to exploring the role of mending in material histories 🧵

In addition to presentations from international artists, researchers, scholars, and practitioners, the event will feature a special photography exhibition on "Visibile Mending" by Steven Bond and keynotes from Dr. Stephanie Bunn of the University of St. Andrews and independent artist Dr. Bridget Harvey.

In-Person tickets are available at http://ow.ly/wo6X50Migb7
For online registration, please visit http://ow.ly/TsQo50Migb8

"Mending and Making" is a two-day workshop on the role of mending in material histories, led by the Endangered Material Knowledge Programme.

09/01/2023

📢FINAL REMINDER 📢

Are you interested in the EMKP ? Join the EMKP Applications Webinar and Q&A on 11 January, 4-5pm GMT 💻

Don't miss the opportunity to join the last webinar for the 2022-2023 round of applications! Register now at: http://ow.ly/M6vh50MhwR0

06/01/2023

2022-2023 EMKP Applications Webinar and Q&A

Are you applying for the EMKP Documentation or Digitisation Grant? The upcoming EMKP Applications Webinar and Q&A session is the perfect opportunity to speak with the EMKP Team, ask questions, and learn more about the granting process.

Register now:

This is the registration form for second session of the EMKP Applications Webinar and Q&A, which will be held on Wednesday 11 January 2023, 4-5pm GMT

04/01/2023

Dating back to the Iron Age, the Great Zimbabwe National Monument is an ancient settlement complex covering over 720 hectares. It is most famous for its prominent stone structures, which were constructed entirely without mortar.

As part of his EMKP Project, Munyaradzi Elton Sagiya has been documenting the skills and practices of traditional stonemasons, whose knowledge is crucial to the conservation of the Great Zimbabwe National Monument and similar sites across the African continent. Learn more about Munyaradzi's project: http://ow.ly/HZoM50Mbssu

Would you like to document and record endangered material knowledge? The EMKP Documentation Grant is accepting applications until 30 January 2023! Apply online: https://emkp.flexigrant.com/

📸 Sagiya; Munyaradzi Elton (2022). Quarrying Process.

02/01/2023

The second session of the EMKP Applications Webinar and Q&A is happening next week! 💻 Join the EMKP Team on 11 January, 4-5pm GMT, to learn everything you need to know about the EMKP, our grants, and the application process.

Register now at: https://forms.gle/FBSnQwnRFz6WNWP8A

30/12/2022

The EMKP closes in ONE MONTH ⏰ If you're interested in applying for the EMKP and have questions about our programme, we're here to help! Join the EMKP Applications Webinar and Q&A session on 11 Jan 2023, 4-5pm GMT, to get all the answers you need.

Register now: https://forms.gle/vnmE55xDhZ9owFNf9

29/12/2022

Mending and Making

What are your plans for 2023? The EMKP will be hosting Mending and Making, a 2-day workshop exploring the role of mending in material histories.

Join us at the Wellcome Collection between 25-26 Jan 2023 to hear exciting research from academics, artists, and museum professionals, as well as keynotes by Dr. Stephanie Bunn of the University of St. Andrews and independent artist Dr. Bridget Harvey. There will also be an exhibition of photography by independent creative Steve Bond, entitled "Visible Mending".

Register for in-person attendance: http://ow.ly/FZqQ50M98Al
Or tune in online: http://ow.ly/o8UK50M98Am

"Mending and Making" is a two-day workshop on the role of mending in material histories, led by the Endangered Material Knowledge Programme.

28/12/2022

GRANTS - Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

'Histories of Honey' - the publication of EMKP Grantee Samuel Lunn-Rockliffe's research on traditional beekeeping in the Embobut Forest, western Kenya, is one of the highlights of our year! The entire dataset is available via our website: http://ow.ly/G0CU50M6VUQ

Do you have an idea for an EMKP project? Apply for one of our grants at: https://www.emkp.org/grants/

The EMKP offers small and large grants to document material knowledge systems that are under threat and in danger of disappearing, as well as grants to digitise legacy material pertaining to endangered material knowledge. This includes knowledge systems associated with the making, use, repair and re...

26/12/2022

On the last week of 2022, we're reflecting on all the great moments at the EMKP this year! We are incredibly grateful that many of our latest cohort of grantees were able to join us at the British Museum for the 2022 EMKP Training. Thank you once again to everyone involved - we look forward to welcoming a new cohort of EMKP grantees in 2023!

Interested in applying for an EMKP grant? Learn more using the link in our bio, or visit our grants page: http://ow.ly/e71O50M6V2T

23/12/2022

GRANTS - Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

Do you know of any research records on material knowledge that need to be digitised? Apply for the new EMKP Legacy Digitisation Grant! We support the digitisation of collections and research records on material knowledge systems that are currently under threat, or were at the time the research was taking place.

Learn more on our grants page:

The EMKP offers small and large grants to document material knowledge systems that are under threat and in danger of disappearing, as well as grants to digitise legacy material pertaining to endangered material knowledge. This includes knowledge systems associated with the making, use, repair and re...

21/12/2022

Mending and Making

Are you interested in and ? Register for the EMKP Mending and Making workshop: a two-day event dedicated to exploring the role of mending in material histories. Led by Head of EMKP Dr. Ceri Ashley, the workshop will feature Dr. Stephanie Bunn and artist Dr. Bridget Harvey as keynote speakers, as well as an exhibition of photography on "Visible Mending" by Steve Bond.

The workshop is primarily an in-person event, with online attendance available for some sessions. Register for in-person attendance at http://ow.ly/GSOW50M8mF2 and sign up online http://ow.ly/j88U50M8s5s

"Mending and Making" is a two-day workshop on the role of mending in material histories, led by the Endangered Material Knowledge Programme.

21/12/2022

2022-2023 EMKP Applications Webinar and Q&A

Are you interested in applying for an EMKP Documentation Grant? Want to learn more about the EMKP application process? Join us from 4-5 pm GMT on 11 Jan 2023 for the second session of the EMKP Q&A and Applications webinar! 💻

Register now:

This is the registration form for second session of the EMKP Applications Webinar and Q&A, which will be held on Wednesday 11 January 2023, 4-5pm GMT

19/12/2022

Project Update! EMKP Grantee Andrea Yankowski has been working with traditional salt-makers in the Philippines to document the making of asin tibuok (native salt) 🧂 Until recently, asin tibuok was a major aspect of the local economy of the island of Bohol, the Philippines.

The salt is processed in open-air structures known as kamalig - salt workshops made of local materials where families produce artisanal salt. These images show how the salt-makers "cook" the salt by boiling brine in earthenware pots. Learn more about this process and Andrea's project at http://ow.ly/ITOM50M32Bz

Would you like to document and record endangered material knowledge? The EMKP Documentation Grant is accepting applications until 30 January 2023! Apply online: https://www.emkp.org/grants/

📸 Yankowski, Andrea (2022). "Cooking" salt (boiling brine).

07/12/2022

Thank you to everyone who joined us for today's EMKP Applications Webinar and Q&A! We loved answering your questions and hearing your feedback about the programme.

Did you miss the session, or have more questions? Join us for our next webinar in January, or send your enquiries to [email protected] ✉

02/12/2022

GRANTS - Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

Do you know of a on in need of preservation? 📚

The EMKP Legacy Digitsation Grant offers funding of up to £20,000 to support the digitisation of research records relating to material knowledge systems that are currently, or previously have been, under threat of disappearing! Collections can include fieldnotes, photographs, films, physical objects, and more.

For more information on this grant and our application guidelines, visit: http://ow.ly/y64650LNETp

The EMKP offers small and large grants to document material knowledge systems that are under threat and in danger of disappearing, as well as grants to digitise legacy material pertaining to endangered material knowledge. This includes knowledge systems associated with the making, use, repair and re...

30/11/2022

EMKP Applications Webinar and Q&A

Do you have questions about the Documentation Grant application process? The EMKP Team is here to help! Tune in on 7 Dec, 10-11am GMT, for the online EMKP Applications Webinar and Q&A. We will be taking questions, talking about our grants, and providing guidance on how to fill in our application form.

To join the event, register now at:

Registration Form for EMKP Applications Webinar on Wednesday 7 December at 10am GMT

28/11/2022

GRANTS - Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

📢CALL FOR APPLICATIONS📢

The EMKP Legacy Digitisation Grant is now open for applications! This new EMKP grant supports the digitisation of collections and research relating to already completed work on material knowledge systems. This can include, among others, fieldnotes, photographs and negatives, videos/reels, audio recordings and objects.

Applications are open until 30 Jan 2023. For more information and application guidelines, visit:

The EMKP offers small and large grants to document material knowledge systems that are under threat and in danger of disappearing. This includes knowledge systems associated with the making, use, repair and re-purposing of material objects, spaces, architecture, performances and environments. To qua...

25/11/2022

📢 CALL FOR PROPOSALS 📢

We are extending the deadline to submit your titles and abstracts for the EMKP Mending and Making workshop! If you're interested in delivering a presentation about the role of mending in material histories, please submit your titles and abstracts to us at [email protected] by Tuesday, 29 November 📝

The workshop will take place between 25-26 January 2023 at the Wellcome Collection on Euston Road.

23/11/2022

Ethics of 3D and Cultural Heritage

The online Ethics of 3D and Cultural Heritage roundtable is taking place TODAY! Join us between 4-5pm for a fascinating conversation jointly organised by the EMKP, the University of London and Exeter University, with Head of EMKP Dr Ceri Ashley, Digital Curator Dr Paula Granados Garcia, Dr Gabriel Bodard and Dr Andrea Wallace and an interdisciplinary panel of experts on and . Speakers include Saima Akhtar of Barnard College, Abira Hussein of the Nomad Project, Jelena Porsanger of RiddoDuottarMuseat and Chao Tayiana of African Digital Heritage

Register now at

This online roundtable brings together experts from different fields and backgrounds to discuss aspects of power and ethics in 3D digital technologies and cultural heritage. In academia and the heritage industry, methods including 3D imaging, architectural modelling, virtual reality and gaming techn...

21/11/2022

Are you interested in applying for an EMKP grant? Do you want to learn more about our application process? Get the answers to your questions at our upcoming Application Webinar and Q&A Session!

The EMKP Team will be hosting an online webinar and Q&A session about the EMKP application process on the 7th of December 2022, from 10-11AM GMT. Register your attendance at https://forms.gle/oynepESKaXqnsFm48

18/11/2022

📢CALL FOR PROPOSALS 📢

Are you an artist, scholar, or activist interested in and ? The EMKP is accepting presentation proposals for our upcoming Mending and Making workshop on 25-26 Jan 2023. This two-day workshop will bring together experts from the , , , and to discuss the role of in !

Join the conversation: Submit your titles and abstracts to ✉ [email protected] by 25 Nov!

16/11/2022

Ethics of 3D and Cultural Heritage

There's still time to register for our upcoming roundtable on Wednesday 23 November! Head of EMKP Ceri Ashley and Digital Curator Paula Granados Garcia will be joined by a panel of experts to discuss aspects of power and ethics in 3D digital technologies and cultural heritage. Don't miss this exciting conversation about the ethics behind 3D methods and cultural heritage documentation!

Panellists include: Saima Akhtar (Barnard College), Abira Hussein (Nomad Project), Jelena Porsanger (RiddoDuottarMuseat), Chao Tayiana (African Digital Heritage Foundation)

Organisers: Ceri Ashley and Paula Granados García (Endangered Material Knowledge Programme, British Museum), Gabriel Bodard (University of London), Andrea Wallace (University of Exeter).

Register for the event:

This online roundtable brings together experts from different fields and backgrounds to discuss aspects of power and ethics in 3D digital technologies and cultural heritage. In academia and the heritage industry, methods including 3D imaging, architectural modelling, virtual reality and gaming techn...

14/11/2022

The EMKP supports projects that use technology to document endangered material knowledge. This 3D model of a Chabu house is part of a project by EMKP Grantee Alfredo González-Ruibal to document the threatened materialities of minority groups in the borderlands of western Ethiopia, which have been endangered by the influx of mass-produced goods.

To learn more about their project, follow Alfredo on Twitter , or visit his project page: http://ow.ly/Asa250LmIue

Would you like to propose a project that uses technology to preserve endangered material knowledge? Apply for an EMKP Documentation Grant at: https://www.emkp.org/grants/

📷 Gonzalez-Ruibal, Alfredo; Asee: Chabu house from the village of Mashi.

11/11/2022

Photos from Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia da USP's post

07/11/2022

Ethics of 3D and Cultural Heritage

Coming event -- Online roundtable discussion
Wednesday Nov 23, 2022, at 16:00 GMT

Join Head of EMKP Dr. Ceri Ashley and EMKP Digital Curator Dr. Paula Granados Garcia to discuss aspects of power and ethics in 3D digital technologies and cultural heritage.

Panellists: Saima Akhtar (Barnard College), Abira Hussein (Nomad Project), Jelena Porsanger (RiddoDuottarMuseat), Chao Tayiana (African Digital Heritage Foundation)

Register at:

This online roundtable brings together experts from different fields and backgrounds to discuss aspects of power and ethics in 3D digital technologies and cultural heritage. In academia and the heritage industry, methods including 3D imaging, architectural modelling, virtual reality and gaming techn...

04/11/2022

📢CALL FOR PROPOSALS📢

Mending and repair are inextricably connected to the stories and life cycles of objects. The EMKP is now accepting proposals for presentations on this topic in connection with our upcoming event, "Mending and Making" - a two-day workshop dedicated to exploring the role of mending in material histories! This two-day in-person event will take place from 25-26 January 2023 at the Wellcome Collection, with online attendance available.

For submissions and enquiries, get in touch with us at [email protected]! Titles and abstracts should be no longer than 200 words, and submitted by 25 November 2022.

04/11/2022

The chhot-builders of West Bengal, India: Documenting the vanishing craft knowledge of a unique boat-building tradition - Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

The EMKP is officially open! If you're interested in making an application, stay tuned to learn more about the programme and the projects we fund.

Our followers on Twitter may have seen the spectacular images of one of our most recent projects, "The chhot-builders of West Bengal, India", led by EMKP Grantee John Cooper and his collaborator Zeeshan Ali Shaikh. They are in the process of documenting the making of a chhot, a unique vessel found on the Rupnarayan river of West Bengal, India. You can follow John's Faceook page, Maraakib, for more updates on this exciting project, or visit the project page: http://ow.ly/v1nK50LlIXs

Would you like to propose a project to document a different endangered tradition? Apply for an EMKP Documentation Grant at https://www.emkp.org/grants/

Home » The chhot-builders of West Bengal, India: Documenting the vanishing craft knowledge of a unique boat-building tradition

27/10/2022

The EMKP 2022-2023 is now LIVE! 🎉

The EMKP Documentation Grants support the documentation of material knowledge systems that are under threat and in danger of disappearing.

Knowledge holders, practitioners, and scholars can apply for funds to support work that explores knowledge systems associated with the making, use, repair and re-purposing of material objects, spaces, architecture, performances and environments.

Applicants are welcome to apply regardless of nationality, and there is no restriction on where the proposed work can be carried out.

To learn more about our grants, guidelines, and how to apply, visit www.emkp.org/grants

22/10/2022

Histories of Honey: Material Practices of Beekeeping in the Cherangani Hills, Kenya - Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

We hope you've enjoyed our posts about the latest addition to the EMKP repository, "Histories of Honey: Material Practices of Beekeeping in the Cherangani Hills, Kenya", lead by EMKP grantee Samuel Lunn-Rockliffe! You can explore this digital collection on our repository at http://ow.ly/pFMc50LcUCA and visit the completed project page on our website http://ow.ly/bTyn50LcUCi

The EMKP would like to congratulate Sam and the team on the completion of their project, as well as thank all the participants involved for their cooperation and generosity.

In collaboration with the University of Oxford, this project documents and makes available the material histories of beekeeping in the Cherangani Hills, western Kenya, to comprehend how beekeeping has been integral to the structuring of Sengwer and Marakwet indigenous lifeways and local forms of tra...