Call e bandi
Call for papers: International Conference on Heritage in Times of Crises
Many crises are affecting our world. Never before have we been hit by extreme events of various kinds, simultaneously, as much as we are now. Never before have we had access to advanced knowledge, technologies and tools to foresee, make decisions, address catastrophes, and support recovery. Yet the damage is growing, and the pressure of the climate crisis is exacerbating the effects of other crises. The impact on cultural and natural heritage requires specific but broad reflection to shape suitable actions and to reconsider the role of heritage in resilient societies.
The relationship between Heritage and Crisis of current importance, and rooted in history. Natural hazards, human induced disasters and crises of many types and many times affect countries, cities, natural areas, and rural communities, with damages, destruction, changes and loss of tangible and intangible assets that we recognise as a legacy from the past, that has a great importance for contemporary societies to live with, and also relevant to pass on to future generations.
Heritage and societal resilience in crisis are especially connected through collective memory. Memories of disasters affect endangered communities and can be also a source for sustainable and resilient futures.
Heritage also has an intrinsic resilience, and it is a strong driver of community resilience. In emergencies and in the recovery, it endures over centuries and beyond severe shocks. It supports mitigation and can be an important driver of adaptation also to face the climate crisis.
Can we protect heritage better? Can we improve our use of this resource?
These questions open many others we would like to discuss, for which the International Conference call for evidence, experiences, knowledge and expertise to be shared.
The call asks for, but it is not limited to, contributions on:
· What cases have we analyzed to understand the first or second characteristics? What damage, what resilience, what roe?
· What forms do crises take from a cultural point of view?
· What approaches can produce positive changes in knowledge and its application through ongoing transitions?
· What technologies and technological and non-technological tools do we have that demonstrate/ can be checked for their positive impact?
· How do AI and new data-driven tools redefine the processes of knowledge, interpretation and decision-making on heritage in crisis conditions?
· How type of data contributes to anticipation?
· How can scientific data be combined with local knowledge and insights derived from experiences of/with communities?
· What research provides evidence and allows for the creation of a new type of relationship between this knowledge, technologies, and technological and non-technological tools and communities?
· What the lesson learned from the history?
· How do crises influence our understanding of heritage?
· How can heritage be protected in crisis situation?
· What representation of cultural heritage in emergency situations?
· How can responsibility to be guided by ethical principles to support more inclusive and resilient responses to crises?
The Horizon Europe RESILIAGE research project coordinated by the Politecnico di Torino for a period of three years culminated in the International Conference on Heritage for Preparedness and Resilience co-organised by RESILIAGE and UNESCO (Brussels, June 24th 2026) created a cross-cutting debate with representatives from the UN and the European Commission as a first step for opening a debate.
The International Conference on Heritage in Times of Crises (Politecnico di Torino, Castello del Valenino - 2–3 December 2026) aims to create a platform across crises, disciplines, sectors, places, nations, and resilience, to produce new knowledge and inclusive innovative answer in this cross-cutting field of work.
We call now for large contributions on research evidence, developed tools and research uptake demos from all sectors toward further advancements via a confrontation of different approaches. We invite all stakeholders, researchers, practitioners, heritage managers, public bodies who are in charged as risk managers and responders, to be involved in the discussion by submitting a paper. Together we will build bridges between technological, environmental, and humanities and social sciences on cogent scientific matter with high social relevance.
Papers presented and discussed in the Conference will be published in special volumes or issues of scientific journals.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
· Abstract: 600–1,000 words
· Affiliation and contact details
· Brief CV: maximum 2 pages
PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES
Selected papers will be considered for publication in:
· edited books
· special issues of specialised scientific journals
KEY DATES
· Opening of abstract submissions: 17 August 2026
· Abstract submission deadline: 30 September 2026
· Notification of acceptance: 20 October 2026
· Registration deadline: 10 November 2026
· Conference: 2–3 December 2026
· Full-paper submission deadline: 31 January 2027
MORE INFORMATION
https://heritageincentre.polito.it/
The relationship between Heritage and Crisis of current importance, and rooted in history. Natural hazards, human induced disasters and crises of many types and many times affect countries, cities, natural areas, and rural communities, with damages, destruction, changes and loss of tangible and intangible assets that we recognise as a legacy from the past, that has a great importance for contemporary societies to live with, and also relevant to pass on to future generations.
Heritage and societal resilience in crisis are especially connected through collective memory. Memories of disasters affect endangered communities and can be also a source for sustainable and resilient futures.
Heritage also has an intrinsic resilience, and it is a strong driver of community resilience. In emergencies and in the recovery, it endures over centuries and beyond severe shocks. It supports mitigation and can be an important driver of adaptation also to face the climate crisis.
Can we protect heritage better? Can we improve our use of this resource?
These questions open many others we would like to discuss, for which the International Conference call for evidence, experiences, knowledge and expertise to be shared.
The call asks for, but it is not limited to, contributions on:
· What cases have we analyzed to understand the first or second characteristics? What damage, what resilience, what roe?
· What forms do crises take from a cultural point of view?
· What approaches can produce positive changes in knowledge and its application through ongoing transitions?
· What technologies and technological and non-technological tools do we have that demonstrate/ can be checked for their positive impact?
· How do AI and new data-driven tools redefine the processes of knowledge, interpretation and decision-making on heritage in crisis conditions?
· How type of data contributes to anticipation?
· How can scientific data be combined with local knowledge and insights derived from experiences of/with communities?
· What research provides evidence and allows for the creation of a new type of relationship between this knowledge, technologies, and technological and non-technological tools and communities?
· What the lesson learned from the history?
· How do crises influence our understanding of heritage?
· How can heritage be protected in crisis situation?
· What representation of cultural heritage in emergency situations?
· How can responsibility to be guided by ethical principles to support more inclusive and resilient responses to crises?
The Horizon Europe RESILIAGE research project coordinated by the Politecnico di Torino for a period of three years culminated in the International Conference on Heritage for Preparedness and Resilience co-organised by RESILIAGE and UNESCO (Brussels, June 24th 2026) created a cross-cutting debate with representatives from the UN and the European Commission as a first step for opening a debate.
The International Conference on Heritage in Times of Crises (Politecnico di Torino, Castello del Valenino - 2–3 December 2026) aims to create a platform across crises, disciplines, sectors, places, nations, and resilience, to produce new knowledge and inclusive innovative answer in this cross-cutting field of work.
We call now for large contributions on research evidence, developed tools and research uptake demos from all sectors toward further advancements via a confrontation of different approaches. We invite all stakeholders, researchers, practitioners, heritage managers, public bodies who are in charged as risk managers and responders, to be involved in the discussion by submitting a paper. Together we will build bridges between technological, environmental, and humanities and social sciences on cogent scientific matter with high social relevance.
Papers presented and discussed in the Conference will be published in special volumes or issues of scientific journals.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
· Abstract: 600–1,000 words
· Affiliation and contact details
· Brief CV: maximum 2 pages
PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES
Selected papers will be considered for publication in:
· edited books
· special issues of specialised scientific journals
KEY DATES
· Opening of abstract submissions: 17 August 2026
· Abstract submission deadline: 30 September 2026
· Notification of acceptance: 20 October 2026
· Registration deadline: 10 November 2026
· Conference: 2–3 December 2026
· Full-paper submission deadline: 31 January 2027
MORE INFORMATION
https://heritageincentre.polito.it/