AHRA is a non-profit academic organisation that was created to provide an inclusive and comprehensive support network of researchers in architectural humanities across the UK and beyond. It promotes, supports, develops and disseminates high-quality research in all areas of architectural humanities.

It promotes the quality, breadth and significance of research in architectural humanities to the key institutional bodies in the UK including HEFCE/RAE, AHRC, ESRC, CABE, RIBA and SCHOSA. It supports the culture of research in architectural humanities internationally by facilitating a comprehensive network of established academics, encouraging the development of younger researchers and fostering the exploration of new and emerging areas of humanities research in architecture.

It develops research in this expanding area by providing regular forums for the exchange of ideas, a rigorous process of peer-review and the establishment of strong international links with partner organisations.

It disseminates research in architectural humanities through annual refereed conferences, meetings, research symposia and high-quality research publications - as well as reaching out to other researchers working in related disciplines.
AHRA raises public awareness of the social, cultural, economic and political value of research in architectural history, theory, culture, design and urbanism. It provides access to a body of knowledge and informed opinion to statutory bodies and the academic community, as well as the wider public and the media - helping to set the terms of reference for debates about the quality of the built environment.