The IMPULSE project was proudly represented at the UNIVERSEUM Annual Conference 2026, hosted by the University of Coimbra (Portugal). Under the theme “Legacies of Power: Shaping University Collections and Museums”, the conference brought together researchers, museum professionals, and cultural heritage experts to examine how historical, political, and institutional dynamics continue to influence university collections and heritage practices.
Representing the IMPULSE project, Theodora Rontzova (KU Leuven) and Karolina Wawok (Jagiellonian University) presented two posters showcasing innovative research and experimentation at the intersection of cultural heritage and immersive technologies.
During the Digital Challenge session, Theodora Rontzova presented the results of Challenge 1 – “Curating the Invisible”, demonstrating how virtual reality can support new forms of metadata visualization and enable the creative reuse of multimodal digital heritage assets within multi-user virtual environments. The work illustrated how immersive technologies can enrich access to, interpretation of, and engagement with cultural heritage collections.
Karolina Wawok introduced another key strand of the project focused on communicating difficult and sensitive narratives related to the Second World War. Her presentation highlighted the ongoing development of immersive experiences that combine museum collections with eyewitness testimonies, bringing together academics, cultural heritage practitioners, and technology specialists from across Europe to create meaningful and impactful forms of storytelling.
Together, these contributions reflect the IMPULSE project’s commitment to advancing innovative, collaborative, and immersive approaches to cultural heritage interpretation. By combining digital technologies, interdisciplinary expertise, and participatory methodologies, the project continues to explore new ways of preserving, communicating, and experiencing Europe’s shared heritage.
