Heritage
Working Group
Chair: Bernadette Biedermann
Bernadette Biedermann (Mag. Dr. phil.) studied museology and art history at the University of Graz. She currently works as museologist, curator and researcher at the University Museums of the University of Graz. She is Deputy Head of University Museums of the University of Graz. Her research focuses are: theoretical museology, object-based research, museum documentation, museum communication and forms of museum presentation; she is co-editor of the journal “Curiositas”.
Vice-Chair: Jeremy Upton
Jeremy Upton is the Director of Library and University Collections at the University of Edinburgh, a post he took up in 2015. His remit covers library and museum collections including the world renowned musical instrument collection held at St Cecilia’s Hall. Jeremy started his professional library career as a music librarian before moving in to general University Library Management. Prior to working in Edinburgh, he was Deputy Director of the library at the University of St Andrews.
Focus of Working Group
The Heritage Working Group provides a space for all people working with cultural heritage, professional staff and researchers, to come together, to share ideas and to understand what the role of cultural heritage is, and what opportunities are provided by cultural heritage in universities. We have developed our work plan so that it focusses on fostering collaboration and asks questions about the issues facing cultural heritage practitioners in universities.
Our work plan is divided into six main areas:
- Cultural heritage and the University.
- Built heritage of Universities.
- Conservation.
- Shared Collections.
- Joint projects and grant opportunities.
- Promotion, networking and outreach.
We recognise that the Coimbra Heritage Working Group operates in a heritage space which is very large, complex and at times confusing. We are increasingly putting our efforts into understanding what we can contribute to the European cultural heritage space, where it makes sense for us to take a lead and where it makes more sense for us to partner with others. The creation of the European University alliances has provided us with opportunities to collaborate with a new set of networks with a strong interest in culture.
tion of the European University alliances has provided us with opportunities to collaborate with a new set of networks with a strong interest in culture.
Priorities for 2023-2026
- Built heritage of Universities
- Shared Collections
- International conferences and workshops
- Joint projects and grant opportunities.
- Promotion, networking and outreach
Recent highlights
- International workshop on problematic / contested collections at the University of Geneva (March 2023).
- Planned workshop on contested collections and problematic heritage in cooperation with the annual UNIVERSEUM conference in cooperation with the University of Krakow taking place at the beginning of July 2023 in Warsaw.
- Planned project proposal for Horizon Europe (work packages 2023-2024).
- Extending Coimbra-group virtual exhibition.
- Publication of international seminars in the journal Curiositas (University of Graz).
Ongoing/forthcoming activities
2023 – 2024
- International conferences and workshops.
- Coimbra Group virtual exhibition.
- Publication of international seminars in the journal Curiositas (University of Graz).
- Planned guideline/policy on contested / problematic / colonised collections in Coimbra Group Universities.
- Survey on teaching with objects activities with the aim to bring together students to work on shared objects based on the Coimbra Group online exhibition (hosted by the University of Edinburgh).
- Promotion and Outreach.
2024 – 2025
- International conferences and workshops
- Coimbra Group virtual exhibition.
- Publication of international seminars in the journal Curiositas (University of Graz).
- Planned guideline/policy on contested / problematic / colonised collections in Coimbra-Group Universities.
- Planning joint exhibitions.
Contact person at the CG Office: Emmanuelle Gardan (gardan@coimbra-group.eu)
