International Conference:
European Cultural Memory in its Digitalization - Inventing Cultural Memory in the 21st Century?
Organizer(s): Field of Excellence – Dimensions of Europe, University of Graz.

The concept of cultural heritage has been in circulation for decades (e.g. UNESCO convention 1972) if not centuries (e.g. discussion on repatriation of artworks at the Congress of Vienna, 1815), in scientific, cultural and policy contexts. The extensive digitization of collections in archives, museums, and libraries, as well as the digital dissemination and mediation of cultural artefacts has also been framed as supporting the process of Europeanization. For instance, the mission of Europeana documents this interest in creating a European cultural identity (Capurro 2023). The very idea of a European heritage is embedded with the vision and policies of the European Union, fostering a shared European identity and memory on the grounds of a common culture and history as well as the rejection of the violent experiences of the 20th century (Radonic 2023).

The conference “European Cultural Memory in its Digitalization” focuses on the intersection of cultural heritage, digital transformation and Europeanisation processes, also responding to the recent dynamic trends in Artificial Intelligence. It aims to question and problematize dimensions of cultural heritage from the European past in the context of contemporary social, cultural and technological transformations. It thus takes into account both the transformative (technological) and representational (discursive) potentials of digitalization of cultural heritage.

This conference will discuss the European and national cultural and research policy strategies in the context of cultural heritage and its digital transformation in general and through the lens of specific projects engaging in this process. Furthermore, recent collaborations between digital humanities and cultural heritage organizations and researchers will be discussed. By contextualizing heritage in the European digital society agenda, general digital transformation processes, datafication and artificial intelligence developments, we will drive forward current debates in Digital Humanities and Memory Studies.

The aim of the conference is to bring together researchers and scholars from various disciplines and reflect on the state of research in the field, opening up fresh discussions and dialogue.
We invite you to submit contributions, in particular on the following themes:
• National/transnational/European policies, identities and the digital cultural heritage field (strategies, funding, trends, transformations, etc.);
• Promises and expectations of digitalization, datafication and artificial intelligence in the context of the cultural heritage of Europe and the Europeanization processes;
• Research and reflections about relevant actors, institutions, networks and actants in these processes (GLAMs, universities, NGOs, independent initiatives, commons, etc.);
• Different types of digital cultural heritage (including archaeological, architectural, intangible cultural heritage, moveable cultural relics and museums, ancient books and archives, internet and new media digital artistic and creative content) and their material, infrastructural and discursive dimensions.
• Transformation of cultural memory in the age of digitalization.
We also encourage contributions that explore other related topics, including social, historical, cultural, technological, political, educational, ecological, communicational, organizational, critical, academic and other dimensions at the intersection of European memory studies and digital cultural heritage research.

The organizers are seeking funding, and travel and accommodation expenses will be covered according to available resources. Independent scholars as well as early career researchers will be given priority for financial support.

Please send an abstract (max. 300 words) and a short CV to:
office.cjsuni-graz.at by April 30, 2024.

Feedback on acceptance of the submission will be provided by June 30, 2024.

Concept and organization:
Georg Vogeler (ZIM), Gerald Lamprecht (CJS), Dušan Ristić (ZIM), Chiara Zuanni (ZIM), Anica Draganic (Senior Fellow, Dimensions of Europe), Ioanna Angelidou (Junior Fellow, Dimensions of Europe)