Conference on
iNCLUSION in the Heritage Sector
January 10, 2026
Boğaziçi University
Submit Your Proposal
GENERAL FRAMEWORK
We 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 we can make cultural heritage 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, we have the tools to create a
more inclusive future. 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. Together,
we’ll exchange ideas, share research, and present solutions that can transform the cultural heritage sector.
Conference Themes
We invite submissions on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:
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Technology and digital innovation for accessibility.
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Policy and best practices in heritage accessibility.
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Co-creation and community engagement in cultural heritage.
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Inclusive learning and digital resources for cultural heritage.
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Cultural representation and disability in heritage narratives.
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Sustainable and inclusive cultural tourism.
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Accessibility in cultural heritage research and education.
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Future directions: innovation, policy, and practice.
Organizing Committee
- Prof. Dr. Muzaffer ŞEKER - President of TÜBA
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kevser ÇINAR - iNCLUSION Project Coordinator - TÜBA
- Prof. Dr. İbrahim Halil DİKEN - Manager, Disability Research Institute, Anadolu U.
- Dr. Ümit Savaş TAŞKESEN - Necmettin Erbakan University
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Mürsel DOĞRUL - TÜBA
- Dr. Dorothea PAPATHANASIOU - ARTIFACTORY
- Mrs. Aida VESIC - Balkan Museum Network
- Dr. Irena RUZIN - Balkan Museum Network
- Mr. Daniel WEISS - Stiching Eduagility
- Res. Asst. Tezcan ÇAVUŞOĞLU - Anadolu University
- Res. Asst. Uğur Onur GÜNDEN - Anadolu University
- Mr. M. Furkan AKBAŞ - TÜBA
- Mrs. Zeynep FİDANAY - TÜBA
- Mr. Ali Buğra ERGİN - TÜBA
Scientific Committee
- Prof. Dr. Muzaffer ŞEKER - President of TÜBA
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kevser ÇINAR - iNCLUSION Project Coordinator
- Prof. Dr. İbrahim Halil DİKEN - Manager, Disability Research Institute, Anadolu U.
- Prof. Dr. Ömer Faruk AKÇA - Necmettin Erbakan University
- Prof. Dr. Ertuğrul KILIÇ - Medeniyet University
- Prof. Dr. Fatih GÜLTEKIN - Lokman Hekim University
- Prof. Dr. Mustafa SOLAK - Biruni University
- Prof. Dr. İlker USTA - Anadolu University
- Prof. Dr. Gökhan KUŞ - Anadolu University
- Prof. Dr. Fitim UKA - University of Prishtina
- Prof. Dr. Zeliha Koçak TUFAN - Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University
- Assoc. Prof. Haydar YALÇIN - Ege University
- Dr. Dorothea PAPATHANASIOU - Artifactory
- Dr. Alperen SAĞDIÇ - SOBE
- Dr. Ümit Savaş TAŞKESEN - Necmettin Erbakan University
- Teaching Assistant Fatma Güllüoğlu BİRER - SOBE
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Mürsel DOĞRUL - TÜBA
- Mrs. Aida VESIC - BMN
- Mrs. Irena RUZIN - BMN
- Mr. Daniel WEISS - Stichting Eduagility
Secretariat
- Mr. M. Furkan AKBAŞ – furkan.akbas@tuba.gov.tr
- Mrs. Zeynep FİDANAY – zeynep.fidanay@tuba.gov.tr
Important Dates & Participation
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 Janury 2026
Conference
ACCOMMODATION
The duration of the conference is scheduled to be one day. Participants are responsible for securing their own accommodation and transportation arrangements. It should be noted that there is no conference participation fee.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
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.