International conference on iNCLUSION in the heritage sector

The Turkish Academy of Science (TÜBA) and the Turkish Young Academy of Sciences are happy to invite you to the International Conference on iNCLUSION in the Heritage Sector on January 10, at the Boğaziçi University. This conference is part of the Erasmus+ KA220 HED project iNCLUSION, and it aims to bring together passionate individuals from diverse fields to explore how can cultural heritage become more accessible and inclusive for everyone. Cultural heritage is a universal right, yet many people with disabilities still face barriers when trying to engage with it. Despite the progress, 30% of heritage sites, 25% of cultural venues, and 40% of cultural websites in the EU remain inaccessible. This conference is a call to action—a space to bridge the gap between the heritage sector and the diverse needs of all audiences.

The rapid pace of digital transformation offers exciting opportunities to reimagine accessibility. From AI and immersive technologies to digital storytelling and interactive learning, the tools to create a more inclusive future are available. The iNCLUSION project is at the forefront of this movement, integrating research, digital innovation, and professional training to ensure that cultural heritage is truly accessible to all. This conference is for everyone—academics, policymakers, cultural professionals, digital innovators, disability organizations, educators, and anyone who believes in the power of inclusive heritage. Ideas will be exchanged, research shared, and solutions presented that can transform the cultural heritage sector.

Conference themes

TUBA invites submissions on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Technology and digital innovation for accessibility
• Policy and best practices in heritage accessibility
• Co-creation and community engagement in cultural heritage
• Inclusive learning and digital resources for cultural heritage
• Cultural representation and disability in heritage narratives
• Sustainable and inclusive cultural tourism
• Accessibility in cultural heritage research and education
• Future directions: innovation, policy and practice

Paper abstracts, panel proposals

The Conference Committee invites abstracts for individual papers or complete panel proposals. All abstracts and panel proposals should be submitted until October 15, 2025.

Application information

An application should include:

• The paper/panel title
• A short abstract including methodology, main assumptions and conclusions of paper (2500 characters maximum)
• Author/participant name(s), institutional affiliations, ORCID
• Author/participant e-mail addresses (essential)
• A one paragraph biographical statement of each participant (min. 100 max. 150 words)
• Any audio-visual equipment requests (if applicable)

Full text format:

• Cover Page
• Abstract Page (min. 250-max. 400 words)
• Chapter (min. 5,000 – max. 8,000 words)
• References
• CV (min. 100-max. 150 words)

The citation format of the is APA format (7th edition). All text must be prepared in accordance with APA 7th edition. Chapters that do not comply will be returned to the authors.

Important dates

• 15 October 2025 – Final date for submission of panel proposals and paper abstracts
• 15 November 2025 – Authors will be informed of acceptance of their applications
• 15 December 2025 – Final date for submission of full papers
• 10 January 2026 – Conference

For inquiries please email [email protected], and visit the conference webpage for updated information.

Photo by Joshua Kettle on Unsplash