How is the uncertainty of the deep future conceived of and managed in different fields of conservation practice?
What do we mean when we say ‘forever’? In this theme, we compared three domains and explored how they can challenge, inform and strengthen each other: the heritage ‘forever’ that is present in designations like UNESCO’s World Heritage Site; the ‘forever’ of messages sent to deep space; and the ‘forever’ of nuclear waste disposal. We asked how these different futures are constructed and manipulated in the present. How can we recognise these futures in the world around us? Heritage is often said to be the human legacy preserved for the benefit of future generations. However, it typically remains unclear precisely when these future generations will live and how we can make the right decisions in the present with their best interests in mind. The main challenge lies in how to prepare for the future’s inherent uncertainty. The aim is to capitalise on the creative potential released by the common acknowledgement across these organisations of an uncertain future, with the intention to conceive of heritage differently. What happens when we come to see nuclear waste as heritage? How can a space message transform the human legacy? Can heritage help us reduce risks of future development on Earth? We specifically explored how the proposed Lake District World Heritage Site operationalises such visions of uncertain futures.
Heritage Futures at the 2018 Association of Critical Heritage Studies Conference
06/09/2018
Members of the Heritage Futures research team will be convening and presenting at seven sessions at the Association for Critical Heritage Studies 2018 conference at Zheijang University in Hangzhou, China from 1st-6th September.
If you’re heading there, come check out (at least) one of our sessions. Or follow our twitter @Future_Heritage and website for updates resulting from these sessions.
Rodney Harrison, Caitlin DeSilvey, Cornelius Holtorf, Sharon Macdonald, Nadia Bartolini, Esther Breithoff, Harald Fredheim, Antony Lyons, Sarah May, Jennie Morgan, and Sefryn Penrose. 2020. Heritage Futures Comparative Approaches to Natural and Cultural Heritage Practices. UCL Press.
28/07/2020
Rodney Harrison
Cornelius Holtorf
Sharon Macdonald
Caitlin DeSilvey
The 100,000 Year Question
Uncertainty
Transformation
Profusion
Diversity
Nuclear Waste Management
Deep Space Messaging
Built Heritage Management
Museums
Biodiversity
Heritage Futures Exhibition: Manchester Museum
14/12/2018 — 30/11/2020
Rodney Harrison
Cornelius Holtorf
Sharon Macdonald
Caitlin DeSilvey
Sefryn Penrose
Sarah May
Jennie Morgan
Nadia Bartolini
Esther Breithoff
Harald Fredheim
Antony Lyons
Anders Högberg
Kyle Lee Crossett
Robyn Raxworthy
Gustavo Araoz
Tim Badman
Francesco Bandarin
Saida Engstrom
Loyd Grossman
John Orna-Ornstein
Ingrid Samuel
Caitlin DeSilvey and Rodney Harrison. 2019. Anticipating loss: rethinking endangerment in heritage futures. International Journal of Heritage Studies 26 Special Issue
09/01/2020