What can we learn from those who recently entered academia or the cultural heritage sector with jobs related to digital cultural heritage? How can these two sectors benefit from their fresh eyes? What questions do aspiring professionals have about their future? This event is part of our efforts to support new professionals in the cultural heritage sector.

In Europe’s digital decade, the acquisition and mastering of digital skills have become more pressing than ever. This is especially true in the cultural heritage sector, which still addresses the need for a digital transition at different speeds in different parts of Europe. In embracing the new opportunities given by the common Europen data space for cultural heritage, the Europeana Research area started exploring how universities are embedding digital cultural heritage in their curricula. This research is giving revealing insights into how future professionals are or could be better trained to carry on the digital transition, and Europeana is well positioned to make the needs emerging in the cultural heritage sector more evident to academia.

The first Europeana internship for new professionals, launched in 2023, was the inspiration to open a debate around these themes. The New Professionals’ Twin Talks aim to offer the opportunity to learn from the experience of people who recently entered academia or the cultural heritage sector with jobs strictly related to digital cultural heritage. We invite them to share what caracterised their journey to digital cultural heritage; what their current challenges are; what they would add to or change in educational programs to better equip the professionals of the future.

To reinforce our commitment towards new professionals, university groups of PhD and MA students with a specific interest in digital cultural heritage are invited to play the role of discussants.