Research Focus Forum: European Cultural Heritage

The Medieval Research Cluster at the University of Bergen organizes a Research Focus Forum (RFF) on the theme "European Cultural Heritage" 1–3 November 2021. We invite academics and researchers from all career stages coming from the Arqus universities to participate.

The Research Focus Forum (RFF) will give participants the possibility to share interests and goals, exchange ideas and identify common interests that might lead to joint research activities.

The Research Focus Forum will start with a network meeting on 1 November for researchers working with topics relating to "European Cultural Heritage". After a common lunch and introduction, the meeting will comprise short presentations of research interests, potential projects and possible areas for collaboration. Thereafter, participants will take part in more focused discussion groups based on common research interests. Finally, we will meet with funding experts from the University of Bergen to discuss application processes and funding possibilities.

To facilitate conversation and future collaboration we encourage Arqus participants to send a short presentation (400 words or less) of their research interests, project ideas and/or areas for possible collaboration using the registration form on this webpage.

Possible themes for group discussions will be tailored to participants’ interest and might include: 

• Heritage and sustainability 
• Heritage and public outreach 
• Digital strategies for heritage 

The Research Focus Forum will continue on 2-3 November with a conference entitled The City in Time: Space, Culture and Heritage. 

This conference sets urban European heritage in focus and will highlight the rich cultural heritage of the host city. The evening of November 2nd offers a city walk which will present a visual display of conference themes. This event will be guided by the former UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Heritage and Environmental Management, Professor Geir Atle Ersland. Thereafter, research forum participants will be welcomed at our conference reception which will take place in one of the city’s prominent heritage centres, the medieval royal hall, Håkon's Hall, the site of major national events during the Middle Ages. 

"The City in Time" brings together academics, policy makers, heritage managers and the public to develop solution-oriented conversations. To this end, the program offers ample space for questions, discussions and lively debate. We believe that this conference will serve as a model for how researchers can work with politicians and stakeholders in cultural heritage management so that together we can develop publicly engaged research projects and research-informed policies.    

Our program concludes with an open panel debate on pressing topics related to historical cities and their urban development.

We encourage members of the Research Focus Forum to send organizers a poster that will be displayed throughout the conference and will feature as part of a poster session. The poster session will highlight research related to urban studies and heritage.  

Please note that the number of participants in the network meeting is limited to 20.