Conference on iNCLUSION in the International Cultural Heritage Sector To Be Held in Istanbul
The “iNCLUSION Conference on the International Cultural Heritage Sector,” organized under the coordination of TÜBA, will be held on January 10, 2026, hosted by Boğaziçi University.
The conference, which will address the issues of inclusivity and accessibility in the field of cultural heritage on an international scale, brings together academics, experts, and practitioners from different countries in Istanbul.
The full-day conference aims to strengthen the interaction between scientific knowledge, policy and practice in the field of cultural heritage. Throughout the program, topics such as physical, sensory, cognitive, and digital accessibility in cultural heritage areas; universal design applications in museums; inclusive experiences for people with disabilities, children, the elderly, and disadvantaged groups; digital heritage; the relationship between artificial intelligence and new technologies and cultural heritage; inclusive education; cultural tourism; and sustainable development will be addressed from a multidisciplinary perspective. Within this scope, there will be numerous parallel panels and sessions, both in-person and online.
The conference will bring together more than 120 participants from over 20 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Taiwan, Malaysia, Morocco, and Türkiye, representing universities, public institutions, museums, non-governmental organizations, and research centers. The program, which will include experts and academics in the field as well as policymakers and practitioners, will discuss current approaches and best practices for making cultural heritage accessible to everyone.
TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker said that the conference invites all stakeholders working in the field of cultural heritage to think and work together for a more equitable, accessible, and inclusive future, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in cultural heritage. "Cultural heritage can only be truly preserved and sustained when it is accessible to everyone. The iNCLUSION Conference offers a powerful international platform that addresses inclusivity in its scientific, technological, and ethical dimensions. As TÜBA, we support knowledge production and policy-making processes in this field. In this context, we aim for the outcomes of the conference to serve as a guide across a wide range of areas, from museology to cultural policies, and from educational programs to tourism practices."