META-MUSEUM Project

Member Spotlight: Stephan Engelhard

We are pleased to introduce Stephan Engelhard, M.A., who leads education and mediation at the LVR-Archaeological Park Xanten. With a background in Classics and Archaeology from the University of Münster and the University of Nottingham, Stephan has dedicated his career to the field of museum education.

Stephan is a specialist in accessibility, focusing on the development of didactic materials and interactive programs that ensure archaeological research is open to a wide, diverse audience. His work is centered on removing barriers and fostering true participation for every visitor.

Stephan’s vision aligns perfectly with the META-MUSEUM mission:
"The interdisciplinary approach of the META-MUSEUM project emphasizes the audience’s needs, fosters inclusion and thereby increases cultural participation for as many people as possible."
His insight into inclusive communication is a cornerstone of our work in redefining the societal role of museums.

☛Read more: https://meta-museum-project.eu/lead-users-panel/



META-MUSEUM Project receives funding from the European Union Research and Innovation Programme. Any related posts reflect only the views of the project owner.

Holograms are often associated with large-scale installations, but they can come in many shapes and sizes – even portable versions that fit in the palm of your hand. ✨

At FSU Jena, we are exploring how simple and accessible holographic displays can bring cultural heritage closer to audiences, both inside and beyond museum spaces. Our compact holo-device is lightweight, portable, and ready to travel across Europe for META-MUSEUM, making it possible to share digital heritage in a wide range of settings.

The images show our device at the Digital Heritage Summit in Cyprus (26–30 May), where we tested several 3D models from 3DBigDataSpace that will soon reappear throughout the META-MUSEUM project.

Seeing these digital artefacts "floating" in space sparked valuable discussions about new ways of experiencing and engaging with heritage, connecting collections and digital and physical objects, and extending exhibitions beyond physical boundaries.



META-MUSEUM Project receives funding from the European Union Research and Innovation Programme. Any related posts reflect only the views of the project owner.

Member Spotlight: Loraine Vilain

We are pleased to introduce Loraine Vilain, Community Outreach Projects Manager at Louvre-Lens. Loraine is a specialist in social development and youth engagement, focusing on how cultural institutions can serve their local territories.

At the Louvre-Lens, Loraine leads initiatives for young adults (18-25), utilizing the museum’s resources to foster job-related skills and encourage local ownership of cultural spaces. Her work emphasizes the museum not just as a gallery, but as a community hub.

Loraine sees a natural alignment with the META-MUSEUM mission:
"Engaging with local communities through collaborative projects is not only a way of bringing the museum and its activities to life, but also a way of transforming it into a place where people can spend time, socialize, and experience a sense of well-being."

Her experience in community-centric museum practice is a vital asset to our project.

☛Read more: https://meta-museum-project.eu/lead-users-panel/



META-MUSEUM Project receives funding from the European Union Research and Innovation Programme. Any related posts reflect only the views of the project owner.

How do we bridge the gap between neurosciences, computer science, and museography?

🏛️🛰️ At the 5th edition of the Biennale Tecnologia in Turin, the META-MUSEUM project moved our research from the lab directly to a live public audience. Here is what we focused on during the two-day pilot:

🧠 THE OBJECTIVE: Understanding the deep emotional impact of cultural heritage. We want to prove how immersive cultural experiences actively build community well-being.

📊 CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT: Our interactive activity, “Measure Your Fears,” invited over 100 participants to reflect on contemporary challenges. We asked visitors to rate their individual and collective fears on a scale from 1 to 5.

👁️ THE INSIGHTS: The results were eye-opening. By identifying which societal pressures feel most urgent to European citizens, META-MUSEUM can better define how Cultural Heritage can act as a crucial support system, helping people face the future with greater confidence and resilience.

🔗 Read the full breakdown of our Turin pilot: https://meta-museum-project.eu/bridging-emotions-and-cultural-heritage-meta-museum-at-biennale-tecnologia-turin/



META-MUSEUM Project receives funding from the European Union Research and Innovation Programme. Any related posts reflect only the views of the project owner.

Member Spotlight: Nils M. Jensen

We are happy to introduce Nils M. Jensen, Director of the Association of Danish Museums. An expert leader in cultural heritage and communication, Nils has spent nearly two decades strengthening the role of museums across Denmark.

With an academic background in Archaeology and Journalism, and a professional history spanning the National Museum of Denmark and Odense Bys Museer, Nils brings an essential perspective on how museums connect with the public.

Regarding the META-MUSEUM project, Nils highlights its innovative scientific approach:

"META-MUSEUM seeks to create fresh pathways for understanding how we adapt knowledge and insight of our visitors (and maybe non visitors). The noble aim is to bring history to life, making it accessible and meaningful for everyone. It is a project I whole-heartedly support.”

We look forward to working with Nils as we strive to make cultural heritage more inclusive and engaging for all. 🌟

☛Read more: https://meta-museum-project.eu/lead-users-panel/



META-MUSEUM Project receives funding from the European Union Research and Innovation Programme. Any related posts reflect only the views of the project owner.

Member Spotlight: Lidija Milašinović

We are delighted to introduce Lidija Milašinović, a distinguished archaeologist and Museum Adviser at the National Museum of Kikinda, Serbia.

With a career defined by leadership, including 15 years as Director of the Museum, Lidija is a specialist in heritage interpretation and community collaboration. Her extensive international footprint includes serving as the National Coordinator for the European Museum Academy (EMA) and representing the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Serbia.

Her expertise in international research and regional cooperation is instrumental as we explore the future of cultural heritage.

☛Read more: https://lnkd.in/dH5WYnB3



META-MUSEUM Project receives funding from the European Union Research and Innovation Programme. Any related posts reflect only the views of the project owner.

As part of the META-MUSEUM dissemination activities, the data collection conducted across European museums was recently presented at the International Association of Empirical Aesthetics Conference on May 5th. 🌍📈

META-MUSEUM partner Sapienza University of Rome was represented by Maria Pia Lucia, who presented a poster showcasing the project’s ongoing research.

The poster sparked interest and engagement among conference attendees, highlighting the growing relevance of empirical aesthetics and museum research within the international scientific community. 🔬💬



META-MUSEUM Project receives funding from the European Union Research and Innovation Programme. Any related posts reflect only the views of the project owner.

In the spirit of our recent partnership, we’re pleased to pass along this update on MetaHeritage Innovation.

📢 MetaHeritage Webinar #5

How can SMEs and organisations working in cultural heritage and tourism connect with European innovation and funding opportunities?

Our upcoming webinar focuses on EIT Culture & Creativity and the programmes supporting entrepreneurship, business creation, and innovation across Europe’s cultural and creative sectors.

The session is open to SMEs, clusters, cultural organisations, researchers, startups, and innovation stakeholders interested in heritage, tourism, and digital transformation.

📅 Join us online:
https://metaheritage.eu/event/metaheritage-webinar-5-eit-culture-creativity-programmes-and-support-for-european-smes/

Member Spotlight: Martin Brandt Djupdræt

We are pleased to introduce Martin Brandt Djupdræt, Head of Research, Development, and Cross-disciplinary projects at Den Gamle By. With a career spanning roles at Frederiksborg Slot and the Viking Ship Museum, Martin recently completed his PhD focusing on the use, benefit, and perceived value of the museum visit.

As a researcher dedicated to museums as social spaces, Martin sees the META-MUSEUM project as a vital step forward:
"META-MUSEUM is an ambitious project that brings together many different disciplines... I see this complexity as a strength and a means of finding good and valid measurement methods for the value of culture in society."

We look forward to integrating Martin’s research on the visitor experience into our evolving framework.

☛Read more: https://meta-museum-project.eu/lead-users-panel/



META-MUSEUM Project receives funding from the European Union Research and Innovation Programme. Any related posts reflect only the views of the project owner.

How Can Museum Exhibitions Inspire Reflection?

The Nordic Centre of Heritage Learning and Creativity (NCK) is currently developing physical prototypes for META-MUSEUM’s pilot tests. The goal is to create new ways for museum visitors to reflect on the past, feel emotionally engaged, and connect with cultural heritage.

Right now, we are delighted to host Daniel Mangano, a PhD candidate from Polito, as a visiting researcher. Together, we are exploring how museum exhibitions can help visitors connect the past with the present.

Our testing ground is the Viking Age Överhogdal tapestries exhibition at Jamtli County Museum. How can the symbols in the tapestries encourage reflection on today’s fears, hopes, and shared experiences? 🧵

We are very happy for this opportunity to collaborate across disciplines and cultures — and excited to see where these conversations will lead. 🌍🤝

META-MUSEUM Project receives funding from the European Union Research and Innovation Programme. Any related posts reflect only the views of the project owner.