A conference designed for digital
One of the key design principles of Europeana 2020 was to fully embrace a digital experience. We appreciate it’s conference season in an already busy digital environment so we have designed the programme with the digital experience in mind. We have introduced shorter days, more interactive, shorter sessions, and included plenty of breaks, so that you can dip in and out and leave Europeana 2020 feeling invigorated by your experience.
Morning sessions with inspiring keynote speakers
Europeana 2020 explores the landscape of change in the digital cultural sector. We are thrilled to have noted moderator Prasanna Oommen guiding us through the programme, and each day of the conference will start with an introduction from Prasanna followed by one of our exciting keynote speakers. They will address how we can empower change through policy, human, GLAM and technological lenses.
On Wednesday 11 November we’ll be looking through a policy lens at the steps we need to take to ensure that we build upon the momentum and the lessons learned of the past months, to help shape our digital future and to secure our contribution to Europe. We are excited to be joined by a panel of thought-leaders in Policy, including Rehana Schwinninger-Ladak, DG Connect and Sneska-Quaedvlieg-Mihailovic, Europa Nostra. On Thursday 12 November, we’ll explore the human dimension of change as we respond to digital and social change as a sector. Renowned anthropologist Jitske Kramer will give the keynote and be joined by thought-leaders in the sector for a panel and Q&A discussion. On Friday 13 November our very own Andy Neale will look to the future of GLAM with 'A Travellers Guide to Digital Transformation' and be joined by cultural heritage professionals at the forefront of digital transformation, with practical experience at managing digital change within their organisations and beyond.
Afternoon sessions with thought-provoking and informative workshops and case studies
While the morning sessions will provide an introduction for everyone into key areas of change facing us as a sector in this extraordinary year and beyond, the afternoon sessions will allow us to break out and look at specific areas of crisis, change and culture. The interactive and engaging sessions, workshops and activities will support your knowledge, experience and practice, and share examples of digital transformation in action.
These breakout sessions are designed by and for cultural heritage professionals. They have been grouped by day to respond to three key challenges identified by the professionals who took part in our Digital Transformation in the time of COVID-19 workshops in Summer 2020, and the reports that explored the findings in more detail. On Wednesday 11 November, the breakout sessions will explore digital divides, and ways we can bridge them. On Thursday 12 November they will look at how we can develop agency for change, individually and collectively. Finally, on Friday 13 November the breakout sessions will address collaboration.
Closing keynote
We’re very excited to have Kevin Kelly, the founding executive editor of Wired magazine, as our closing keynote. He will discuss representations of the real world in digital form in 'Mirror World: Utopia or dystopia', and be joined by other leading minds for a panel discussion that we think will be a fitting close to Europeana 2020, Crisis, Change and Culture.
Europeana Network Association General Assembly
The conference will be preceded by the Europeana Network Association (ENA) General Assembly. This will be an invite only meeting for all ENA Members and won’t be visible on our digital programme. We sent out the invite to all network members yesterday, so if you are a member, check your inbox. If you aren’t a member already, join now and become part of the biggest network of cultural heritage professionals in Europe.
Networking and social events
No conference is complete without chances to network. Just because it’s digital doesn’t mean we need to miss out on the important social events. On our digital programme you’ll be able to check out and join in with our fringe events, including our Europeana pub quiz!
Build your own programme
You can now explore and start building your own programme on Sched, our official digital programme. If you previously registered your interest or booked your place for Europeana 2020 you will have been emailed information to join Sched. If you haven't, it’s not too late to sign up and explore the programme. All you need to do is book a ticket via eventbrite, and you will be automatically added to Sched. It’s the only place you’ll be able to access links to join the conference and various sessions, and gives you the opportunity to connect with other professionals, so sign up today and start building your own programme.
We’re very excited, and confident there will be something for any cultural heritage professional interested in dealing with crisis, change and culture. If you are new to the sector or before 2020 thought you had experienced it all, if you are working day to day in the sector or merely interested in the challenges we are facing and how we are dealing with them, we think Europeana 2020 is for you.