About Dr James Lesh

Dr James Lesh is the founding director of next-generation heritage consultants Heritage Workshop. The firm builds on his background in consulting and academia.

James is an award-winning historian and heritage specialist. He has extensive expertise and experience in delivering heritage projects, strengthening places and communities.

His portfolio is highly innovative, deeply researched and outcome focussed. His experience ranges across the commercial, government, not-for-profit and university sectors. He is knowledgable in residential, commercial and industrial heritage and specialises in heritage and policy advisory, placemaking, research, training and workshops, and expert witness.

Significant projects include postmodern public heritage at Fed Square, heritage strategy at the City of Melbourne, place re-naming at the City of Merri-bek (formally Moreland), and CPD and postgraduate curriculum development and teaching.

James is a prominent industry thought-leader and has made major contributions to the practice, theory and history of heritage.

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His projects have received awards from the Australian Institute of Architects, ArchiTeam, Victorian Government Community History Awards, University of Melbourne and University of London.

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He acts as an independent expert witness at planning and heritage tribunals, and delivered an invited keynote to the NSW Land and Environment Court in 2023.

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James has held academic appointments at the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Deakin University, and King's College London.
 

His major book Values in Cities: Urban Heritage in Twentieth-Century Australia examines the history of the Australian heritage movement. His co-edited book collection People-Centred Methodologies for Heritage Conservation offers new approaches to managing heritage places.

James has also published over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, and a similar number of articles for media including The Conversation and The Age. He has presented at more than 30 conferences and delivered some 20 invited lectures and public talks. The media has interviewed him on over 40 occasions for his insights. He has contributed to government inquiries.

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James has taught into Australia's leading heritage postgraduate courses at the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, and Deakin University, and has guest lectured at King's College London and the University of Queensland.
 

James volunteers his knowledge back to the profession and the community. He is an ICOMOS evaluator for UNESCO World Heritage, a Heritage Committee member for the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), mentors emerging professionals for Australia ICOMOS, and advises the Royal Historical Society of Victoria and local heritage groups.

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James holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne, Master of Arts from the University of London, and Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne.

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He is professionally accredited by Australia ICOMOS, the Planning Institute of Australia, Professional Historians Australia, and VPELA.

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In addition to leading Heritage Workshop, James continues to research, publish, teach and peer-review, and contributes to the profession, community and academia.