Milena Metalkova-Markova is a Bulgarian architect who specialized in heritage preservation and citizen participation in Japan (PhD from Kyoto Institute of Technology). Her research there was focused on heritage-led urban and architectural regeneration. She has taught architectural anthropology, history of modern architecture and architectural design within historic contexts in Japan, Bulgaria and the UK. She has been awarded several times for her work with students in conservation and urban design – Japan Tohoku International Competition 2nd Award, Japanese Ambassador Award-2018, Historic England angel Award-2019. She is interested in the links between art, architecture and heritage conservation and since August 2019 works as an associate professor at the School of Architecture at the University of Portsmouth, teaching Conservation Practice at Portsmouth School of Architecture MArch Building and Heritage Conservation. She has been involved in the design of spatial installations as a catalyser for heritage revitalization, exhibiting alone or with students in art galleries and historic buildings in Japan, Bulgaria and the UK.