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 Coimbra Group Heritage Working Group (HER WG) 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 and built heritage and the University
Contested / problematic heritage
Conservation
Shared Collections
Joint projects and grant opportunities
Promotion, networking and outreach
We recognise that the HER WG 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.
Priorities for 2024-2026
Contested / problematic heritage.
Built heritage of Universities.
Shared Collections.
International conferences and workshops.
Joint projects and grant opportunities.
Recent highlights
Call for papers for a publication on contested /problematic heritage (to be published in summer 2024 with Coimbra Group funding).
Horizon Europe funding proposal submitted (lead: University of Utrecht, February 2024).
Promotion and outreach: shared collections CG platform to be established.
Cooperation with UMAC and UNIVERSEUM and other networks in the field.
Inter-Working-Groups workshop on “Decolonising the University” at the CG Annual Conference in Turku in cooperation with the Latin America WG and the Global Partnerships WG (5 June 2024).
Ongoing/forthcoming activities
2024 - 2025
Publication of open access book on contested / problematic heritage at the University of Edinburgh (planned for summer 2024).
Annual HER WG autumn meeting to be planned and organised (2024).
Working on a publication on the HER WG international seminars’ series (University of Graz, planned for summer 2024).
Following up the inter-Working Groups cooperation on decolonising the university (probably a joint workshop at the CG Annual Conference in Bologna in June 2025).
Establishing a platform to share already existing online collections and exhibitions at CG Universities (online, hosted by the University of Cologne).
Establishing a conservator’s platform (online, hosted by the University of Edinburgh).
Establishing a practical toolkit to handle contested / problematic heritage.
2025 - 2026
Exchange on student / teaching level based on shared collections (online?).
Continue to work on above-mentioned projects and topic.
Publication of a practical toolkit to handle contested / problematic collections at universities.
Continue the cooperation with other networks in the field.
Organising international seminar series and joint workshops.
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 Coimbra Group Heritage Working Group (HER WG) 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 and built heritage and the University
Contested / problematic heritage
Conservation
Shared Collections
Joint projects and grant opportunities
Promotion, networking and outreach
We recognise that the HER WG 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.
Priorities for 2024-2026
Contested / problematic heritage.
Built heritage of Universities.
Shared Collections.
International conferences and workshops.
Joint projects and grant opportunities.
Recent highlights
Call for papers for a publication on contested /problematic heritage (to be published in summer 2024 with Coimbra Group funding).
Horizon Europe funding proposal submitted (lead: University of Utrecht, February 2024).
Promotion and outreach: shared collections CG platform to be established.
Cooperation with UMAC and UNIVERSEUM and other networks in the field.
Inter-Working-Groups workshop on “Decolonising the University” at the CG Annual Conference in Turku in cooperation with the Latin America WG and the Global Partnerships WG (5 June 2024).
Ongoing/forthcoming activities
2024 - 2025
Publication of open access book on contested / problematic heritage at the University of Edinburgh (planned for summer 2024).
Annual HER WG autumn meeting to be planned and organised (2024).
Working on a publication on the HER WG international seminars’ series (University of Graz, planned for summer 2024).
Following up the inter-Working Groups cooperation on decolonising the university (probably a joint workshop at the CG Annual Conference in Bologna in June 2025).
Establishing a platform to share already existing online collections and exhibitions at CG Universities (online, hosted by the University of Cologne).
Establishing a conservator’s platform (online, hosted by the University of Edinburgh).
Establishing a practical toolkit to handle contested / problematic heritage.
2025 - 2026
Exchange on student / teaching level based on shared collections (online?).
Continue to work on above-mentioned projects and topic.
Publication of a practical toolkit to handle contested / problematic collections at universities.
Continue the cooperation with other networks in the field.
Organising international seminar series and joint workshops.
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 Coimbra Group Heritage Working Group (HER WG) 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 and built heritage and the University
Contested / problematic heritage
Conservation
Shared Collections
Joint projects and grant opportunities
Promotion, networking and outreach
We recognise that the HER WG 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.
Priorities for 2024-2026
Contested / problematic heritage.
Built heritage of Universities.
Shared Collections.
International conferences and workshops.
Joint projects and grant opportunities.
Recent highlights
Call for papers for a publication on contested /problematic heritage (to be published in summer 2024 with Coimbra Group funding).
Horizon Europe funding proposal submitted (lead: University of Utrecht, February 2024).
Promotion and outreach: shared collections CG platform to be established.
Cooperation with UMAC and UNIVERSEUM and other networks in the field.
Inter-Working-Groups workshop on “Decolonising the University” at the CG Annual Conference in Turku in cooperation with the Latin America WG and the Global Partnerships WG (5 June 2024).
Ongoing/forthcoming activities
2024 - 2025
Publication of open access book on contested / problematic heritage at the University of Edinburgh (planned for summer 2024).
Annual HER WG autumn meeting to be planned and organised (2024).
Working on a publication on the HER WG international seminars’ series (University of Graz, planned for summer 2024).
Following up the inter-Working Groups cooperation on decolonising the university (probably a joint workshop at the CG Annual Conference in Bologna in June 2025).
Establishing a platform to share already existing online collections and exhibitions at CG Universities (online, hosted by the University of Cologne).
Establishing a conservator’s platform (online, hosted by the University of Edinburgh).
Establishing a practical toolkit to handle contested / problematic heritage.
2025 - 2026
Exchange on student / teaching level based on shared collections (online?).
Continue to work on above-mentioned projects and topic.
Publication of a practical toolkit to handle contested / problematic collections at universities.
Continue the cooperation with other networks in the field.
Organising international seminar series and joint workshops.
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 Coimbra Group Heritage Working Group (HER WG) 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 and built heritage and the University
Contested / problematic heritage
Conservation
Shared Collections
Joint projects and grant opportunities
Promotion, networking and outreach
We recognise that the HER WG 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.
Priorities for 2024-2026
Contested / problematic heritage.
Built heritage of Universities.
Shared Collections.
International conferences and workshops.
Joint projects and grant opportunities.
Recent highlights
Call for papers for a publication on contested /problematic heritage (to be published in summer 2024 with Coimbra Group funding).
Horizon Europe funding proposal submitted (lead: University of Utrecht, February 2024).
Promotion and outreach: shared collections CG platform to be established.
Cooperation with UMAC and UNIVERSEUM and other networks in the field.
Inter-Working-Groups workshop on “Decolonising the University” at the CG Annual Conference in Turku in cooperation with the Latin America WG and the Global Partnerships WG (5 June 2024).
Ongoing/forthcoming activities
2024 – 2025
Publication of open access book on contested / problematic heritage at the University of Edinburgh (planned for summer 2024).
Annual HER WG autumn meeting to be planned and organised (2024).
Working on a publication on the HER WG international seminars’ series (University of Graz, planned for summer 2024).
Following up the inter-Working Groups cooperation on decolonising the university (probably a joint workshop at the CG Annual Conference in Bologna in June 2025).
Establishing a platform to share already existing online collections and exhibitions at CG Universities (online, hosted by the University of Cologne).
Establishing a conservator’s platform (online, hosted by the University of Edinburgh).
Establishing a practical toolkit to handle contested / problematic heritage.
2025 – 2026
Exchange on student / teaching level based on shared collections (online?).
Continue to work on above-mentioned projects and topic.
Publication of a practical toolkit to handle contested / problematic collections at universities.
Continue the cooperation with other networks in the field.
Organising international seminar series and joint workshops.
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In 1985, the International Relations Office at Université catholique de Louvain was celebrating its 20th anniversary and had an inspired idea: invite other universities to come together, collaborate, and dream big.
Comprehensive university, including a Faculty of Medicine;
Big university in a small city, like Louvain-la-Neuve and Leuven;
Foundation date comparable to that of Louvain – XV century;
Comparable number of students – 15 to 30.000.
That initial meeting sparked something extraordinary. A network of like-minded institutions was born—one that would grow and thrive over the next four decades. Today, we know it as the Coimbra Group, a leading voice in European and global higher education.
Following on from the meeting in Louvain-la-Neuve/Leuven a meeting was held in Coimbra on 29-30 May 1986, at which it was decided to name the cooperation network after its host university. Joint projects were discussed, among them exchanges of choirs and orchestras, summer courses for North American students at CG universities, and joint student exchanges.
The 21 founding members of the network were: Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Università di Siena, Universidad de Salamanca, Université de Poitiers, Università di Pavia, University of Oxford, Université catholique de Louvain, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leiden University, Heidelberg University, Universidad de Granada, University of Göttingen, University of Galway, University of Edinburgh, Trinity College Dublin, Universidade de Coimbra, University of Cambridge, Université de Caen, ,Università di Bologna & Aarhus University