On Thursday 26 June 2025, the Pavilion of the Wereldmuseum Leiden featured the first joint meeting of Leiden University and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam around the shared research theme Collecting Global Heritage. Some 50 researchers, students and collection managers came together to share knowledge, exchange ideas and lay the foundations for intensified cooperation in the field of heritage and cultural identity.
Broad perspective
The afternoon focused on four lectures by specialists. Mariana de Campos Françozo and Alicia Schrikker (Leiden University) and Quinsy Gario and Lorella Viola (VU Amsterdam) each highlighted from their own expertise and perspective how global heritage collections reflect and influence our view of the past. In addition, young researchers, students and collection managers presented their work in eight ultra-short poster presentations, providing a broad view of the research field.
Second meeting
The meeting marks the beginning of structural cooperation on this topic between the two universities. The second meeting is scheduled for Friday 28 November 2025 in Amsterdam, with a focus on education on global heritage collections.
Check out the full programme of the meeting of June 26
