Research and Intangible Heritage
KIEN's research explores a wide range of themes and societal issues, from sustainability to our colonial past, and from emancipation to participation. However, intangible cultural heritage remains the common thread running through all our research.
Our researchers reflect critically and ask important questions. KIEN's in-depth studies provide new insights into intangible cultural heritage. This research not only deepens our understanding of heritage but also offers practical tools for safeguarding, raising awareness, and informing policy. We actively share our findings with communities, researchers, heritage institutions, governments, and other stakeholders.
Curious about our scientific staff and their specializations? On this page you will meet the KIEN team, including our scientific staff.
Research and safeguarding of intangible heritage
Our primary focus is on how intangible heritage can be safeguarded for the future and how it can contribute to—or even take center stage in—current social issues. In professional terms, this process is called ‘safeguarding.’
We explore questions such as: How can heritage be safeguarded in a rapidly changing society? What is the social significance of intangible heritage? How can living heritage contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable society or to regional development? And how do factors like climate change or our colonial past impact the continuity of intangible heritage? These are just some of the key questions we examine as part of our knowledge development efforts.
Current research lines and thematic dossiers
To provide focus, we define broader research lines every four years—(societal) themes that structure and guide our research. During the current policy period (2024–2028), our research focuses on the following four themes:
- Emancipation: Intangible heritage as a tool for equality and inclusion.
- Economic Empowerment: The role of heritage in economic development.
- Sustainable Commitment: Preserving and further developing heritage for future generations.
- Environmental Awareness: How intangible heritage can be better integrated into the National Strategy on Spatial Planning and the Environment
A more detailed description of these four themes can be found on the ‘About Us’ page.
Curious about our previous research lines and related projects? Then take a look at the symposium ' Intangible heritage today', which we organized in the fall of 2024. During this symposium we presented the findings and issues from the policy period 2021–2024.
Research and collaboration
Our research staff works closely with heritage practitioners, municipalities, heritage institutions, and universities. By collaborating with those directly involved in intangible heritage, we ensure our research remains closely connected to society and practical applications. Some of our (permanent) collaboration partners and networks include:
Read everything in our Knowledge Base
We usually publish the results of these research projects in flyers, publications, videos, podcasts, teaching methods, for example, which you can all find, read and listen to in our Knowledge Base .