Connie Gerrow

Experience

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  Queen's University Belfast

  Sept 2011 - Sept 2012

  MSc. Student

  Successfully completed a one year MSc. course with Distinction. The Heritage Science (MSc.) was a quick pace learning and adaptation environment which tests the ability to multi-task, perform under pressure and meet deadlines to a high standard. The course itself helped me to liaise with professionals such as: GSNI (Geological Survey NI), Consarc Design Group and Historic Scotland in a professional and collaborative setting.

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  Queen's University Belfast

  Feb 2013 - Feb 2018

  PhD Research Student

  Long term sandstone weathering behaviour following surface conservation techniques-Implications for subsequent weathering response and surface stabilityHistoric Scotland Special Research Scholarship

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  Ulster Architectural Heritage

  Apr 2016 - Apr 2022

  The Hands-On Heritage, project is a dedicated programme to develop a framework to help people and communities to take the lead in activities to highlight, protect, conserve and regenerate historic buildings, across Northern Ireland. From traditional to technological, the project aims to transform the way UAH works to support people and communities to engage with the historic environment in NI. Over a 3 year period, the Hands-On Heritage project will provide a programme that combines the reinvigoration of traditional means of heritage engagement and outreach, with the introduction of a new range of digital engagement models and technologies, to better connect people and communities with built heritage. Show less Through this role I manage the Built Heritage at Risk Northern Ireland (BHARNI) register where over 500 buildings and structures are currently deemed 'at risk'. Through this role I carry out condition assessment surveys on those structures already at risk to assess their degree of risk and priority grading. I also propose buildings to be added that have become 'at risk' in recent years. I also liaise with building owners and give advice on potential funding streams for repair, as well as on best practice for repair of listed and historic buildings. I also contribute bi-monthly to 'Perspective' magazine, the Royal Society of Ulster Architects Journal on buildings at risk across the province. This role allows me to work in partnership with the Department for Communities: Historic Environment Division as an impartial advisor. We work together to help Local Authorities to develop their Community Plans where their historic building stock must be seen as an asset and to be utilised as a sustainable mechanism to reuse current building stock. I also deliver outreach programmes on maintenance to Local Council areas as well as highlighting the significance of 'at risk' buildings to students to encourage participation of young people into the heritage sector. I have also presented at CPD accredited Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors regarding historic building assessment and identification of stone breakdown and potential repair methods under building pathology and treatment. Show less This role has been a collaboration with the Mourne Mountains Landscape Partnership ‘Mournes & Me: Built Education Programme’. I have delivered the education outreach programme of this project to primary school children in the Key Stage 1 and 2 syllabus. This has involved interactive workshops in both schools and at the Education Centre at Silent Valley, whereby children have been taught about their local built heritage and the lives of the people who lived at that time. These workshops have highlighted to children why our buildings are special and why it is important to protect them.I have recently been working with the Slieve Gullion Landscape Partnership to provide an educational resource of built heritage for their area, North and South of the border. This resource aims to directly feed into the set educational curriculum with emphasis on English, Maths, History, Geography and development in technology, as well as facilitating schools to be able to explore their local heritage in their area. This is a collaborative project with the Landscape Partnership, local historians and teachers, and this project in ongoing until March 2017. Show less

  • Heritage Projects Officer, Hands-On Heritage

    Mar 2020 - Apr 2022

  • Heritage at Risk Officer

    Oct 2016 - Feb 2020

  • Heritage Project Officer

    Apr 2016 - Feb 2020
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  Department For Communities - N.Ireland

  Jul 2020 - now

  Member of Historic Buildings Council Northern Ireland

  The Historic Buildings Council (HBC) was established in 1974 under the provisions of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1972. This was subsequently repealed and an amended Planning (NI) Order was passed in 1991. The Council is currently constituted under Section 198 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. The council is made up of around 15 members who possess a wide range of expertise and experience in architecture, architectural history, planning, industrial heritage, building conservation and structural engineering throughout Northern Ireland. Its role is to advise the Department on the listing and delisting of buildings, listed building consent, and to keep under review, and from time to time report to the Department on, the general state of preservation of listed buildings.HBC also offers advice to other government departments such as DAERA and DfI through DfC and to local Councils on the designation of Conservation Areas. Show less

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  Ulster University

  Feb 2022 - now

  • Research Engagement Officer

    Nov 2024 - now

  • Academic Excellence Executive Assistant

    Feb 2022 - Nov 2024