Agenda

11 Nov 2026 17:00

Cultural Heritage and Decolonization: Building Resilience in the Global South

Aula Baratto, Ca’ Foscari

11 November 2026

Krish Seetah
Stanford University 

Cultural Heritage and Decolonization: Building Resilience in the Global South

Introduced by Diego Calaon and Elisa Corrò 
Welcome note: Lorenzo Calvelli 
Final local seminar of the DIGITALIA Erasmus+ Project within the framework of the VeDPH Seminars

Abstract:
Decolonization is a universal mandate, as the legacies of colonialism on the planet and the global human population are far reaching and all-encompassing. The revolution in the utility of digital and public humanities, while developed largely in Europe and western nations, has incredible utility for nations in the Global South struggling with legacies of colonialism. These legacies encompass both the ecological and social contexts. This presentation outlines work undertaken on the islands of the Republic of Mauritius, focused on how cultural heritage research has been both a way to connect descendant communities to more equitable narratives describing their past, as well as providing viable practical options for meeting some of the current climatic and sustainability challenges facing small island states. The work also includes a discussion of the Chagos Archipelago, a highly contested oceanic space that has witness forced displacement, militarization, and now a planned process of sovereignty return from the UK to Mauritius. Such cases highly the relevance and power of cultural heritage research for both understanding our past, and negotiating our future.

Bio:
Krish Seetah is Associate Professor of Environmental Social Sciences and Oceans, and of Anthropology, at Stanford University, where he directs the Emmet Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources. He chairs the Cultural Working Group for the Chagos Marine Protected Area submission to the United Nations, and has been commissioned by two UNESCO World Heritage Site trust funds and appointed to the Mauritian Truth and Justice Commission. Drawing on seventeen years directing archaeological fieldwork in the Indian Ocean, his work brings evidence of the colonial past into present-day decisions about health, heritage and ocean governance.

 

12 November 2026 2.00-3.30 pm CET, Aula 4, San Sebastiano
Master Class 
in collaboration with Diego Calaon and Elisa Corrò, within the MA in Digital and Public Humanities

The event is part of the seminar series organized by the Venice Centre for Digital and Public Humanities (VeDPH), Department of Humanities, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.

Language

The event will be held in English

Organized by

VeDPH; DSU; Lorenzo Calvelli, Franz Fischer, Elisa Corrò, Sabrina Pesce

Downloads

poster 426 KB

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