Research-Oriented Summer School 2025

Prospects & Innovation for Euro-Mediterranean & Middle East Heritage

Conservation, Restoration, Valorisation: from Concept to Action.

  28th June > 12th July 2025
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Programme

Table of contents

    Content Outline

    The research-oriented summer school EMMEH 2025 is a strong 60-hour training programme focusing on the fundamental aspects of the conservation, restoration and valorisation of cultural heritage in North Africa’s Mediterranean regions, the Middle East, and Europe.

    Particular emphasis will be placed on preventive conservation, archaeology and excavation sites, the impacts of climate change on heritage, and new approaches to museological mediation – with a strong focus on sustainable development goals.

    Final research projects will be guided by an exploration of fresh perspectives on the climatic, technological, and societal challenges faced by cultural heritage.

    Cultural visits and social events will enrich this international programme, promoting friendliness and personal development. These activities will enable participants to build connections, exchange ideas, and immerse themselves in a stimulating and rewarding intercultural experience.

    • 34 h — Scientific Lectures, Workshops & Visits
    • 6 h — Scientific Research Project
    • 1 h — Lille & Hauts-de-France: A Dynamic Environment for Researchers
    • 13 h — Cultural Visits & Social Events
    • 3 h — Introduction to the French-Speaking World
    • 3 h — Welcome & Closing Events

    Keywords

    #heritage, museums, archaeology, excavation sites, conservation, restoration, mediation, exhibitions, climate changes, sustainability, risks, innovation, digital solutions.

    Programme At A Glance

    Scientific Lectures, Workshops & Visits

    Minor modifications to the programme may occur.

    The scientific curriculum will include the following topics:
    • Museums and Living Archaeology
      A symposium on the current state of archaeological excavations led by museums.
    • Climate Change and Heritage
      A symposium on climate change and its impact on heritage.
    • Mediation and New Technologies
      Presentation of research projects involving mediation with new technologies, such as the Talking Vase (digital mediation system), and Here-Before (augmented reality application) by Christine AUBRY, research engineer and general secretary of IRHiS.
    • Digital Reconstruction of Exhibitions
      Presentation of a research project on the digital reconstruction of exhibitions of Whistler’s paintings.
    • Using New Technologies to Highlight a Medieval Church
      Presentation of how to highlight the value of a medieval church using new technologies by Prof. Étienne HAMON, specialised in medieval art history.
    • eThesaurus
      Presentation of this IRHiS programme about the modeling of medieval gold and silverware pieces (preserved in the museums of Lille and Saint-Omer) by Thibault GUILLAUMONT, cofounder of Holusion.
    Visits and partnerships may include:
    • The Louvre-Lens Museum
      Built atop a former mine works, this Louvre of northern France has a unique and innovative museography allowing visitors to wander through more than 200 masterpieces displayed in an open space covering 3,000 m².
    • The Louvre Conservation Centre in Liévin
      Its primary goal is to protect the French national collections, entrusted to the Louvre’s safekeeping, from the risk of flooding; it is also designed to improve conservation and research conditions. By 2024, the centre will be home to some 250,000 works, making it one of Europe’s largest study and research centres.
    • The Fine Arts Museum of Lille
      The Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille is a magnificent 22,000 m² building housing one of Europe’s most prestigious art collections. Established in 1801, it features masterpieces of European painting, sculptures, antiquities, and unique 18th-century relief maps.
    • The Arab World Institute (IMA) in Tourcoing
      A former swimming pool in Tourcoing hosts this beautiful museum, which promotes the cultures of the Arab world through exhibitions, concerts, conferences and educational activities.
    • The Lille Métropole Museum of Modern Art (LAM)
      As one of the most important museums in northern France, the LAM conserves over 7,000 works from the 20th and 21st centuries through an innovative itinerary that combines modern and contemporary art with France’s largest public collection of Art Brut.
    • La Piscine Museum
      La Piscine is a beautiful and rich museum located in Roubaix, and known for being installed in a former indoor swimming pool, with an impressive Art Deco interior.
    • The Plaine Images Hub in Tourcoing
      The Plaine Images is a European hub dedicated to creative industries, acting as a business incubator and accelerator.
    • The Blue Shield France
      The Blue Shield is an international organisation founded in 1996. Its aim is to protect the world’s cultural heritage from threats such as armed conflict and natural disasters.
    • The Centre for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France
      The Centre for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France (C2RMF) is responsible for implementing, in liaison with the curators, the policy of the museums of France in terms of research, preventive conservation and restoration of collections. It compiles a large documentation on materials, techniques and the restoration of museum works.

    Scientific Research Project

    Designed to facilitate your admission to doctoral or postdoctoral programmes in France, the Scientific Research Project will require both personal and teamwork. It will include sessions of tutorials or free discussion with researchers from the IRHiS and HALMA laboratories.

    The project will involve the analysis of articles, bibliographical summaries, a presentation of state-of-the-art trends in the chosen research topic and a final project defence in front of the scientific board.

    You will have every opportunity to contact teachers/researchers with a view to identify a research project; assistance will be provided in maintaining contact in order to finalise the project up to potential enrolment in a (post-)doctoral programme.

    Cultural Programme

    EXCITING VISITS & EVENTS

    Gain a richer perspective on the Hauts-de-France region!

     

    The Hauts-de-France region is typified by its maritime and Flemish borders, agrarian economy, ancient trade fairs tradition, former textile and mine industries steeped in the Catholic values of its captains and vivid memory of wounds inflicted by two world wars. France’s youngest region is now renowned for its competitiveness, dynamic cultural and social life, and a unique mix of Flemish cheerfulness and French elegance.

    1. OLD LILLE: Guided tour of streets, squares and monuments of the old town and its beautiful ancient architecture.
    2. CH’TI EVENING: Local cuisine in a traditional restaurant and introduction to the Ch’ti linguistic and cultural specificity.
    3. BRUGES, BELGIUM: Free time in the charming old Flemish city, also known as “the Venice of the North” thanks to its beautiful canals.
    4. FINE ARTS MUSEUM OF LILLE: Visit the exciting collection and splendid building of the largest fine arts museum in France beside Paris.

    Introduction to the French-Speaking World



    Getting a taste for the French language or rediscovering it.

    Spoken by over 300 million people worldwide, French is a beautiful and fascinating language with a rich history and culture. One of the most compelling reasons to learn French is the vast amount of cultural and artistic treasures it unlocks. Besides, knowing French, official language of diplomacy, can open doors to many career opportunities. French is relatively accessible for English speakers, thanks to its many cognates (words that are similar in both languages) that make it easier to build vocabulary and to understand.

    An interactive workshop will take the participants through an exploration of the presence and role of French language in the world as well as key linguistic features. Whether they are beginners or intermediate French speakers, the participants will be initiated to basic day-to-day French (greetings, first interactions) or lead to refresh and develop their communication skills.