My research focuses on understanding historic building materials; their provenance, decay mechanisms and conservation. Most recently I have been analysing historic and archaeologically excavated glass from Scotland, but my research encompases materials such as historic timber, lime and parchment.

Craig Kennedy received a degree in biochemistry from the University of Stirling and a PhD in structural biophysics from Cardiff University, examining the deterioration of collagen within historic parchments. This work married high-end scientific analysis (synchrotron radiation,  neutron scattering, etc.) with the practical needs of conservators  working on ancient documents. Further work at Cardiff included  examination of the structure of cellulose microfibrils from wood and higher plants such as celery, sugar beet, tunicin and flax, as well as analysis of historical materials such as silk, paper, leather and glass. The  effects of cleaning and repairs on historical materials was a major feature of this work.

Craig then joined Historic Scotland in 2006 and became Head of Science in early 2007 and Senior Conservation Scientist in 2011. As well as managing the science unit, Craig has supervised research internships, and co-supervised a number of studentships with Universities in to areas relating to historic building deterioration. The research carried out during this time included on-site analysis of Historic Scotland's Properties in Care as well as supporting and carrying out fundamental research in to building material decay and conservation.

In August 2013 Craig joined Heriot Watt University's School of the Built Environment as a Senior Lecturer in Building Materials.

Current research includes analysis of historic glass from archaeological dig sites and in situ, and timber, with continuing interest in the utilisation of science as part of the conservation process.

Craig is Editor-in-Chief of the Elsevier journal Global Heritage

He is currently Global Head of Discipline in the subject areas of Quantity Surveying and Construction Project Management, is a member of the Heriot-Watt University Senate (terms 2021-2024, 2024-2027), Chair of the Academic Integrity Group and Vice-Chair of the University Discipline Committee.

2025-2027: Developing a Multidisciplinary Approach to Evidence-led Conservation of Stained Glass. Royal Society of Edinburgh (with Michael Penman, Rainbow Glass Studios and Vivienne Kelly)

2022-2023: Scoping Study of Medieval Ecclesiastical Stained and Painted Glass. Hunter Archaeological and Historical Trust.

2021: Rejuvenation of the Heritage Science Laboratory at Heriot-Watt University. Arts and Humanities Research Council (with Alan Forster)

2016-2017: Skills and Materials in the Scottish Glass Industry from 1750. The Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland. 

Craig's current research group consists of:

Tony Osifo ([email protected]) - IOT Mining, Analytics and Sensor Data Management for Oil and Gas Mega project in Nigeria

Vivienne Kelly ([email protected]) - Understanding and quantifying the risks to Scottish stained glass windows in terms of skills and materials.