Using historical research to tell rich, authentic stories that captivate hearts and move minds
Sharing our histories, the stories and memories of our diverse pasts, is fundamental to how we humans relate to each other and make meaning in the world.
At Arque Research, we help businesses, cultural organisations, and operators in the heritage sector understand and use their own histories to forge powerful connections with the people and places that matter most to them.
Are you looking to grow your heritage tourism or hospitality business but don’t know where to start? We’ll apply our unique blend of marketing experience and historical expertise to help you attract new high-value visitors and powerfully differentiate from competitors.
Do you need to analyse historical evidence for Waitangi Tribunal, Takutai Moana or similar formal investigations and inquiries? We bring the knowledge and credentials to produce meticulous research reports grounded in rigorous, ethical scholarship.
Do you yearn for better staff and stakeholder engagement? We’ll unravel the tale of your company’s past - your organisation’s whakapapa - to build a compelling culture that brings people along on the journey from the past to the future.
Arque Research is headed by Dr Amanda McVitty, an award-winning researcher, professional historian and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society who also has a 30-year background in journalism, marketing and communications.
What we do
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Historical research and heritage consulting
Getting history right can be a minefield and who has the patience to read the books or slog through the archives? That's where we come in. We find, analyse and present evidence using resources such as public and private archives; research libraries and special collections; oral histories; and buildings and landscapes. Then, we transform that evidence into narratives you can use through websites, events, reports, books and articles, exhibitions and more.
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Research strategy and project management
Asking the wrong questions can derail your research project from the outset. We guide you to develop sound, tightly focused research questions that accurately target the problem you need to solve; then select the most appropriate methods and frameworks to answer them. Our project management expertise ensures research is completed on time and to budget, while adhering to research ethics and high standards of scholarship.
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Governance and evaluation
Has your project stalled or become unmanageable? Are you concerned you might not be looking at the right sources, talking to the right people, or that ethics or privacy protocols aren’t up to scratch? Our experts will review your governance framework, methodologies and consultation protocols to ensure research is conducted ethically and with cultural safety, while also producing the required outputs.
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Grant writing and funding strategy
There is money out there for humanities research and heritage projects, but there’s no doubt it’s tough to tune your applications so well, funders can’t say ‘no’. We draw on a successful track record with local, national and international grants bodies, scholarly societies and philanthropic organisations to find the best-fit opportunities, then work with you to craft credible and compelling funding applications.
How we work
Arque Research is able to work on a fixed-price basis to scope and deliver turnkey projects; or we can provide specialist research and consulting services on an hourly-rate basis (plus any agreed expenses). Our rates are flexible depending on the nature and complexity of the work, the level of expertise required, and the expected length of the engagement. We’re able to work on-site, fully remote, or in hybrid mode.
Want to learn more? Please get in touch for a no-obligation chat about your needs.
About our hero image
The main image on our website features the gardens at Le Clos Lucé, a small but perfectly formed château in France’s Loire Valley. Leonardo da Vinci spent the last few years of his life working and inventing here, under the patronage of King Francis I and his mother, Louise of Savoy. These diaphanous screen-printed copies of some of da Vinci’s most beloved paintings are strung throughout the gardens, where they create a beguiling atmosphere for strolling visitors. While we can claim no credit for the installation, we do find it an inspiring blend of beauty, education, visitor experience and heritage marketing.