On 10 April 2025, the 1st International Conference of Young Experts in Heritage Science took place in Slovenia, organised by the Association of Young Researchers in Heritage Science Slovenia – HERI SCI in partnership with the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Primorska. The hybrid event brought together over 60 students and young professionals from Slovenia and abroad, who attended presentations by participants representing nine countries across Europe and North Africa.
The conference opened with a roundtable session featuring high-level speakers, including Dr Giovanni Pescarmona, representative of the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS), Sorina Neacșu, President of the European Students’ Association for Cultural Heritage (ESACH), ESACH Secretary General Jasna Popović, and Dr Štefko Miklavič, Vice-Rector of the University of Primorska.
Honoured guest Dr Aleš Musar (husband of the President of the Republic of Slovenia) also took part in the discussion, along with Mr Janez Kastelic (Director of the Ljubljansko barje Landscape Park Public Institute), Assist. Prof. Dr Zrinka Mileusnić (University of Primorska), Prof. Dr Matija Strlič (University of Ljubljana), and Ms Dubravka Kalin (Director General for Tourism at the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport). The roundtable was moderated by Lana Nastja Anžur, President of HERI SCI.
The speakers unanimously agreed on the urgent need for cross-sectoral governance of cultural heritage. Such an approach is crucial to ensure its sustainable preservation and to fully unlock its potential for rural development, particularly through tourism. They stressed the importance of training skilled professionals capable of integrating heritage into local development policies and making it accessible to the wider public.
Participants also reflected on international best practices, highlighting the role of volunteer engagement and personalised approaches in fostering heritage sustainability and resilience.
In the afternoon, the conference featured two thematic sessions showcasing highly interdisciplinary research. Presentations covered a wide range of topics, including chemical analysis, archaeology, conservation, architecture, ethnology, anthropology, sociology, history, artificial intelligence applications, and musical heritage studies.
The primary aim of the conference was to connect young heritage science professionals from Slovenia and beyond, offering them a platform to share their work, explore new research opportunities, and strengthen professional networks.
Young individuals interested in heritage research are warmly invited to join HERI SCI and engage in future activities.
For more information, visit:
- Instagram: @heriscislo
- LinkedIn: HERI SCI
- Facebook: Heri Sci
- Website: https://herisci.e-rihs.si/
