Education
Ms Chris Johnston is a heritage consultant who specialises in investigating the special meanings and associations that exist between people and their places. She is well known for her work in developing and applying social significance methodologies, community engagement, strategic planning and innovative approaches to understanding heritage values and places. Chris also has an active interest in aesthetic values and emotional response to place. She is a Director of Context Pty Ltd, a heritage consultancy based in Melbourne. Twenty years ago ‘What is Social Value? A Discussion Paper’ was published. Where did this concept come from, how have we used and misused it, and where are we going with it today? Chris will explore the journey so far, touching on both theory and practice, illustrated with some places and people who have shaped her understandings of the oft-challenged concept of social significance.