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Call for Papers Theme: Understanding Heritage Subtitle: Challenges and Perspectives for the 21st Century Type: International PhD Workshop Institution: Brandenburg University of Technology Location: Cottbus (Germany) Date: 14.–16.6.2011 Deadline: 15.4.2011 __________________________________________________ The International Graduate School of Heritage Studies at BTU Cottbus calls for participation in the abovementioned PhD workshop aimed at mapping challenges and perspectives on understanding heritage as they are framed in scientific research. The programme will be divided into three thematic sessions focusing on: (1) Heritage, Identity and Conflict; (2) Communities and Heritage Protection; and (3) Mediating Heritage through Representations. We hope to establish an academic network of young researchers and professionals, coming from different disciplinary backgrounds, with the purpose of generating a knowledge base of concepts and approaches which cut across the thematic areas of the workshop: Thematic Sessions (1) Heritage, Identity and Conflict Heritage is not only about material objects, such as monuments and artefacts, but also about cultural practices, in all their manifestations, which play a key role in the construction of identities in contemporary societies. Learning about heritage may enrich our awareness of cultural roots, and at the same time, it also helps us understand and appreciate differences of other cultures. However, heritage may also become a cause or a scene of conflict, not only limited to armed conflict but also relating to the contestation of meaning and interpretation of tangible and intangible heritage. This is an increasing challenge in the 21st century, particularly in the context of cosmopolitan and multicultural societies, where perceptions of history, cultural goods and traditional arts are heavily laden with social and political implications. How is it, exactly, that heritage shapes identities? How can heritage help open the doors for intercultural dialogue? And how can one resolve identity-related conflicts where heritage is at stake? These are the questions to be addressed in the framework of this panel. (2) Communities and Heritage Protection The protection of cultural and natural heritage greatly depends on the involvement of various community stakeholders. Local communities have the primary role in maintaining and transmitting heritage but they are not the only actors with an interest in its protection. Sometimes the demands of the various actors involved – local communities but also external actors such as tourists, NGOs, governmental institutions, urban developers, etc - are driven by different understandings of the role of heritage and the need for its protection. Consequently this panel assesses the following questions: what are the perceptions of external actors, vis-à-vis internal actors, with regard to their function in the protection of heritage? If these perceptions are contradictory, should they be reconciled into a common understanding of heritage protection? What are the challenges of involving these communities into the long term protection of heritage? (3) Mediating Heritage through Representations In this session heritage will be approached as representation. The aim is to explore heritage mediation strategies, by focusing on the function of representations in shaping the understanding of heritage. When heritage becomes a representation it passes through a process by which it is disembodied from its originating context, transferred to a new one, and re-embodied as representation. Whether in the form of museum exhibitions or as digital images, representations may only capture selected aspects of heritage, at the expense of others. Thus, they provide partial understandings of the heritage they depict, conveying the particular view of their creators. In order to analyze this process and how it changes the understanding of heritage the session will centre on the following questions: By which means does the representation of heritage occur and how do these means influence the process of representation? How do heritage representations differ from the heritage they represent? If heritage becomes a representation can it still be considered heritage and by whom? Target Participants The workshop is open to PhD students and junior researchers from all over the world, who would like to share their ideas and engage in critical discussions within the thematic areas of the workshop. Registration Participation is based on submission of abstracts (max. 300 words) outlining your research-in-progress, as well as the relevance of your research to the thematic areas of the workshop. A limited number of papers will be selected for short presentations. Nevertheless, all participants will be able to contribute ideas, opinions, research results or queries by engaging in roundtable discussions. If you are interested in participating, please, fill out the registration form, including the abstract, and send it to [email protected] by April 15, 2011. Website: http://www.tu-cottbus.de/btu/en/gradschool/heritage-studies/news/phd-workshop.html __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
