Applications Now Open: International Masterclass on Critical Heritage Studies and Digital Heritage
MAKASSAR, 19 May 2026 — The Department of Archaeology, Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas) is now accepting applications for the Masterclass on Critical Heritage Studies and Digital Heritage, to be held 14–16 July 2026 at Unhas Hotel, Makassar. The programme is free of charge. The application deadline is 20 June 2026, 23:59 WITA.
This three-day intensive programme, jointly delivered with the Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences research group (ARCHES) at the University of Antwerp and PKR Arkeologi Sulawesi (BRIN), is designed for postgraduate researchers and mid-career heritage professionals from across Indonesia seeking to deepen their engagement with critical and digital approaches to cultural heritage.
AT A GLANCE
| Programme | Masterclass: Critical Heritage Studies & Digital Heritage |
| Dates | 14–16 July 2026 |
| Venue | Unhas Hotel, Makassar, South Sulawesi |
| Capacity | 25–30 places (competitive selection) |
| Participation fee | Free of charge |
| Application deadline | 20 June 2026, 23:59 WITA |
What the Masterclass Offers
The masterclass is structured across three days. Day 1, led by Prof. Suzie Thomas, covers Critical Heritage Studies: the Authorised Heritage Discourse, community engagement, and the politics of heritage. Day 2, led by Prof. Piraye Hacıgüzeller, addresses Digital Heritage: digital documentation and data ethics for cultural resources. Day 3 takes participants to Fort Rotterdam and the Makassar Old Town heritage precinct for a guided field excursion, applying the programme's frameworks to a living heritage site.
Each participant produces a heritage project concept note: a concrete, practical design for a critical or digital heritage intervention within their own institutional context.
Who Should Apply
Applications are invited from three groups:
- Master’s (S2) and doctoral (S3) students in archaeology, history, anthropology, cultural studies, heritage studies, architecture, urban heritage, or related humanities and social science disciplines
- Heritage practitioners: staff of the Indonesian Heritage Agency (IHA/BLU) and regional Cultural Preservation Offices (BPK), museum managers and curators, urban planners, cultural affairs officials, and NGO professionals working in heritage preservation
- Early-career researchers and lecturers integrating critical or digital approaches into their teaching, research, or curriculum development
Applicants are expected to have professional working proficiency in English sufficient to follow lectures and participate in workshop discussions. The programme includes bilingual Indonesian facilitation for group discussions.
Financial Support
There is no registration or participation fee. Confirmed participants travelling from outside South Sulawesi will receive hotel accommodation for the programme dates (13–16 July 2026, subject to confirmation). All course materials, meals, and transport for the Day 3 field excursion are provided. Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from Makassar.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through an online form (Microsoft Forms).
Each application must include:
- Completed application form (all personal and institutional details)
- Motivation statement (maximum 600 words, in English)
- Curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages)
The motivation statement carries 40% of the selection score. Reviewers look for a clear rationale for applying and a concrete plan for how applicants will use what they learn in their work within 12 months of the programme.
Key Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 20 May 2026 |
| Application deadline | 20 June 2026, 23:59 WITA |
| Results announced | 30 June 2026 |
| Participant confirmation deadline | 7 July 2026 |
| Masterclass | 14–16 July 2026, Unhas Hotel, Makassar |