Cultural Heritage

IMA Shared Island GLAM Programme [Call open]

IMA Shared Island GLAM Programme [Call open]

Just announced the Shared Island GLAM Programme – a new 5-year all-island initiative led by the Heritage Council and IMA. Funded through the Shared Island initiative, the programme aims to strengthen collaboration, visibility and public engagement across not-for-profit, collections-focused galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM) in Ireland and Northern Ireland, while supporting a deeper understanding of shared cultural heritage.

Through collaborative project funding, professional development and networking opportunities, mentorship and exchange programmes, and an annual GLAM Awards programme from 2027, the initiative will strengthen relationships across the collections-focused GLAM sector, encourage knowledge-sharing and innovation, recognise excellence, and help build a stronger and more connected cultural heritage sector across the island.

This programme also includes Shared Island GLAM Project Funding, which is currently open for applications. The fund is ‘to develop and test new ideas and approaches to public engagement, co-creation and all-island collaboration’. Projects must involve collaboration between at least one eligible GLAM organisation in Ireland and one eligible GLAM organisation in Northern Ireland. It is envisaged that three to four collaborative projects will receive funding of between €10,000 and €15,000 each during this initial pilot round. 

The window for applications is open until Thursday, 03 September 2026.

Live online information sessions will be held on 29 July and 11 August.

Linked Pasts (LOD) 23-25 Nov [CfP closes 13th Sept]

Linked Pasts – Call for Participation

University of Porto, 23–25 November 2026

https://linkedpasts.hcommons.org/2026/06/23/linked-pasts-12-programme

The annual Linked Pasts Symposium brings together scholars, heritage professionals and other practitioners with an interest in Linked Open Data (LOD) as applied to the study of the ancient and historical world. All the activities taking place in the Linked Pasts are goal-oriented discussions and collaborations, instead of research presentations as is usual in a conventional academic conference. Activities and agendas are often proposed, developed and revised by all participants at the event itself. The Linked Pasts Symposium is a formal partner of the Pelagios Network. 

The 12th Linked Pasts annual symposium will be hosted in-person from 23–25 November 2026 by the CODA — Centre for Digital Culture and Innovation, at the University of Porto.

Sessions can relate to any application of Linked Open Data towards history, archaeology, culture and heritage, but this year we particularly welcome proposals for activities in the areas of:

  • Semantic annotation
  • Gazetteer and ontology development/alignment
  • Data enrichment and reconciliation
  • Knowledge Graphs
  • Digital mapping and visualisation
  • Working with uncertain or incomplete data
  • Linked Open Data and AI
    • KG, Semantics and their combination with other relevant AI technologies
    • Transformer-based language models and their implications for LOD
  • Discoverability and usability
  • Sustainability, preservation and reuse
  • FAIR and CARE principles
  • Ethical and environmental impact
  • Community building and collaboration

Call for Activities

Activities in the event are collected in three categories: Sessions, Mini Demos & Posters.
Language: English.

Session

You will be organising a session or a series of sessions, and providing topics and an agenda for the discussion. Sessions, which could include collaborative activities, discussions, tutorials, hackathons, standards or project planning, etc. Proposers should submit an abstract of 300–500 words, including the background, objective, possible topics, main audience, and an estimated number of (1.5 hour) sessions you require.

Mini Demo & Poster

In an abstract of 300–500 words, proposers of Mini Demos should explain in detail the tool, service or method they intend to demonstrate in the session; while Posters introduce early-stage research or preliminary results. Mini Demos and Posters will be briefly presented on Wednesday 24 November. Posters will be on display for the entire duration of the conference and will offer an additional opportunity for informal networking.

Important dates

Call for Sessions, Mini Demos & Posters: 1 July – 13 September 2026 – Submit your proposal here.
Notification of acceptance: 30 September 2026
Registration: 1 October – 15 November 2026. Participation in the conference is free, but advance registration is required.

Programme Committee

  • Chair: Vera Moitinho de Almeida (University of Porto)
  • Gabriel Bodard (University of London)
  • Uldis Bojārs (National Library of Latvia)
  • Anna Foka (University of Uppsala)
  • Leif Isaksen (University of Exeter)
  • David Lindemann (University of the Basque Country)
  • Sarah Middle (Archaeology Data Service, University of York)
  • Richard Nevell (Wikimedia UK)
  • Jun Ogawa (University of Tokyo)
  • Chiara Palladino (Durham University)
  • Luís Trigo (University of Porto)

Digital Cultural Heritage Librarian Vacancy [Applications close – Aug 4th]

Digital Cultural Heritage Librarian

JOB SYNOPSIS

The University of Limerick Library is seeking an enthusiastic and innovative Digital Cultural Heritage Librarian (Assistant Librarian Grade I) to play a key role in developing and delivering digital cultural heritage services, with a particular initial focus on the Bolton Library. The post holder will combine strong technical and project management skills with a commitment to widening access to rare and distinctive collections in ways that support learning, teaching, research and public engagement. Working within the Digital Scholarship and Systems team, under the guidance of the Digital Services Librarian, and in close partnership with Special Collections and Archives, this role will lead on the day-to-day planning and delivery of digitisation workflows and the operational management of digital cultural heritage assets, ensuring that unique collections are discoverable, usable, and preserved for the long term. The Digital Cultural Heritage Librarian is a supervisory role and will work collaboratively with colleagues across the library and wider University to deliver an excellent, user-centred service. This is a professional role that requires specialist knowledge of digital cultural heritage, digitisation, digital asset management and preservation. The role holder will demonstrate strong professional judgement, effective people and project management skills, and the ability to contribute expert input to service development while operating within an established strategic and reporting framework.

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary Scale: €47,176 – €72,821 p.a.

University of Limerick is a research-led, energetic and enterprising institution with a proud record of innovation and excellence in education and scholarships. We value creativity, curiosity and excellence in our inclusive community which is committed to social good. Our motto Eagna chun Gnímh translates as Wisdom for Action reflecting our mission to contribute to the discovery of new knowledge for a better world.

Informal enquiries regarding the post may be directed to:

Mr Caleb Derven, Head, Digital Scholarship & Systems, Library & Information Services Division, University of Limerick, Email: caleb.derven@ul.ie

The closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday, 4th August 2026. Applications must be completed online before 12 noon, Irish Standard Time on the closing date.

Further information for applicants and application material is available online from: University of Limerick Vacancies

We are committed to upholding the principles of fairness, equality, and transparency in pay, in line with the EU Pay Transparency Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/970)

The case for Public AI: making it happen with cultural heritage [Europeana Report Published]

The case for Public AI: making it happen with cultural heritage

Developed through iteration and in collaboration with over 400 professionals of the data space and the Europeana Initiative community, the paper presents a shared vision for how the cultural heritage sector can contribute to a more democratic, pluralistic and publicly accountable AI ecosystem in Europe. 

As AI reshapes how knowledge, culture and history are produced, accessed and interpreted, this paper explores how the cultural heritage sector, supported by the data space, can help build Public AI in Europe — AI that serves the public good, not just commercial interests.

The paper sets out a clear and ambitious role for the data space in turning this vision into reality: from leading by example and applying AI in line with Public AI principles across our technology stack, to acting as a rights broker, trusted infrastructure, literacy engine, technical partner and collective voice for the cultural heritage sector.  

Read the paper if you are curious to know:

  • Why is cultural heritage data so valuable for AI training?
  • Beyond data, how can cultural heritage institutions and professionals help shape an alternative AI approach in Europe?
  • What opportunities is the data space exploring to make this happen, and what challenges must we overcome?
  • What is Public AI, why is it gaining traction in policy debates, and how can it address structural imbalances in today’s AI ecosystem? 
  • What is the state of Europe’s AI landscape, and what role can our sector play in it? What partnerships are needed —and under what conditions— for us to play that role effectively?
  • What are the risks of inaction — for Europe, for the future of AI systems, for the open knowledge ecosystem and for our sector?

Read the paper in full

Key Insights

x4 Funded PhDs at Trinity College Dublin [Closing date June 26th]

Call for Applications – Funded PhD in Digital Humanities

Click on the hyperlinks below to download the call for four doctoral students will be funded under this award with specialisations across the domains of:

This unique multidisciplinary approach will provide the students with invaluable experiences and skills extending far beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, preparing them to become leaders in academia or industry settings.