Abstract
The EU_CUL research network project, which is a collaboration of academics in heritage studies and in pedagogy, explored the use of cultural heritage for fostering social responsibility in higher education (Erasmus + project. In this context, research was conducted on inspirational examples and best practices in heritage management that include social and other societal values of heritage. This included award winning heritage practices in Europe. Heritage awards have, as a good practice assessment methodology, the potential to promote particular implemented practices. They can therefore help us find out what is considered ‘best practices’ in heritage management. An analysis of these practices also enables us to identify patterns, trends and potential biases. Sub-questions posed were: what is considered a ‘best practice’ in heritage awards? What kind of practices get these prizes and recognitions? What kinds of heritage are included and get the most attention? To what extent is the diversity of heritage, values and individuals in Europe represented? This chapter will discuss the results of this analysis of heritage awards and critically discuss the patterns that emerge and how this relates to governance and leadership in heritage management. The research is limited to Europe, it focuses on EAA and Europa Nostra, thus national prizes were not included.
Highlights
Awards for cultural heritage management are an important incentive to recognize and promote best practices in the field
The value of accessibility that is recurring in the Europa Nostra Awards is not reflected in the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) Heritage Prize, while objectives focusing on ethics, diversity and for instance gender equality—all part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals—are ab
The value of accessibility that is recurring in the Europa Nostra Awards is not reflected in the EAA Heritage Prize, while objectives focusing on ethics, diversity and for instance gender equality—all part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals—are absent from the Europa Nostra justifications
Summary
Awards for cultural heritage management are an important incentive to recognize and promote best practices in the field. What do those best practices entail, what values do they reflect and who receives these accolades? We have looked for both organisations at the prizes awarded in 2015 until 2020, with the aim to identify patterns, trends and biases through a conceptual content analysis. It problematises the definition of best practices and the assessment criteria for nominations used by both organisations. It concludes with a critical reflection on the concept of celebrating best practices in relation to the current evaluation process
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