Religious Heritage

Dr Alanna Cant is an anthropologist and Lecturer in Social Anthropology at the University of Reading. Her research explores the intersections of material culture, religion, art, and heritage, with a particular focus on Roman Catholic practices in Mexico, England, and Wales. Through ethnographic fieldwork, she examines how religious objects, aesthetics, and everyday practices shape ethical values, belief, and heritage conservation. Dr Cant has led projects such as Restoration and Faith, analysing relationships between religious communities and secular heritage institutions. Her work bridges anthropology, heritage studies, and ethnographic writing, offering critical insights into faith, conservation, and cultural policy.