
Webinar Series
Details of an exciting series of free webinars showcasing global interpretation can be found here.
This series of webinars hosted by seven interpretation organizations around the world is free to all interpreters, regardless of membership or affiliation with any of the sponsor organizations! English-Spanish live translation will be available.
Next in the series showcasing global interpretation
Interpretation Australia - Tuesday, 12 December 2023 at 9pm
“I Don’t Know What That is But I Love That It’s There”: Rethinking the social values and public outcomes of in situ archaeological conservation and presentation in Australia
Interpretation of in situ archaeological remains is commonly framed by archaeologists and other heritage professionals as an educational endeavour. It is based on an understanding that the primary purpose of archaeology is the production of knowledge about the past and an associated sense of responsibility to communicate this knowledge to the public. But is this long-received notion based on an accurate understanding of the ways that archaeological places actually work in communities in the present?
Recent research suggests that archaeological remains do far more than provide knowledge about the past. This talk draws on interviews undertaken with hundreds of members of the public at archaeological places that have been conserved and presented in situ in new developments in Australia, along with international research on place attachment, belonging, wellbeing and resilience. It explores the social, emotional and imaginative experiences that people have with archaeological remains and the ways these direct relationships work to create outcomes far beyond the transmission of archaeological knowledge to the public: outcomes such as individual and community resilience and wellbeing, identity building, belonging and social cohesion.
This research offers a challenge to interpreters to step beyond a focus on the past and to embrace the creative possibilities that archaeological remains offer in the present and for the future. It also highlights the importance of developing evidence-based and benefit-based heritage management frameworks that understand and respond to the way heritage works in communities and aims to support direct and meaningful relationships between people and heritage places.
Presenter: Dr Caitlin Allen is a Sydney-based archaeologist and heritage specialist. She worked for the NSW State Government for nearly two decades as a heritage administrator and hands-on practitioner. In recent years she has been working as a sessional lecturer in heritage and museum studies at The University of Sydney. Her current research interests focus on social values and place attachment, including the ways archaeological remains contribute to the creation of liveable cities and community wellbeing. Caitlin is a Member of the NSW Heritage Council’s Approvals Committee, an Expert Member of ICAHM and a former Vice President of Australia ICOMOS.
Upcoming webinars:
TBC - International Panel
Recordings of the webinars in the 2023 series are available to watch on the GAHI YouTube Channel:
- National Association for Interpretation on 2 February 2023, Jr. Ranger Books: More Than A Word Search! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjGCI-CNqRc
- Association for Heritage Interpretation on 16 March 2023, New paradigms in interpretation: How stories can change the world in a changing world - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkHBItmH3fo
- Interpret Europe on 20 April 2023, Interpretive planning at World Heritage Sites – experiences from Europe - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBCQgWsonCU
- Interpretation Canada on 1 June 2023, Participatory and Dialogic Interpretation: Inspire through PIE and TALK - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlLEEM-idmY
- Interpretation Network New Zealand on 24 August 24, 2023, Te Taiao | Nature: Merging Māori knowledge and science to spark sustainable action - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a89ZmMRumBQ
- InterpatMx (Mexico) on 5 October 2023, Fabrics and stitches. How to approach to a distant heroic past - https://youtu.be/CzIASIdeR5A?si=jZ2Fh4qVcqENqjlu
Recordings of the webinars in the 2022 series are also available to watch on the GAHI YouTube Channel: https://www.gahi.online/global-excellence-in-heritage-interpretation-webinar-series/
- National Association for Interpretation on 24 February 2022, Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Best Practices
- Interpret Europe on 7 April 2022, Can Interpretation Prevent War?
- Interpretation Canada on 19 May 2022, Whose Story is it Anyway? Interpreting the Cultural Mosaic of Canada
- Association for Heritage Interpretation on 30 June 2022, Dub London: A case study in co-creation, inclusion, and engaging interpretation at the Museum of London
- InterPatMX (Mexico) on 11 August 2022, Visiting the Ruins of an Ancient Mexican City to Renew Our Sense of Hope, and Learn from the Past
- Interpretation Australia on 6 October 2022, Unpacking Intangibility: Ways of Seeing, Feeling and Understanding Culture. An Australian experience
- Interpretation Network of New Zealand on 7 November 2022, Mahi tahi- Working Together to Embrace te ao Māori through partnership projects.
Saving Ukrainian Heritage Series
Webinar 1, July 2022: The Love of Freedom: Why the World Needs Skovoroda, and Ukrainian Culture
On Friday night, May 6, 2022, a Russian missile set fire to the Hryhorii Skovoroda National Museum in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. Skovoroda was a beloved poet, philosopher, teacher and composer whose work is still influencing modern poets today. He has been seen as a symbol of the “love of freedom” and for many, the attack on the museum (which is actually originally Skovoroda’s home) felt like an attack on the soul of the country. We will learn about the Skovoroda museum, before and after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, why the world needs Skovoroda, how interpreters are helping make it visible to the world, and how you can help.
Webinar recording may be viewed on the GAHI Website.