ASEF Speaker Series: dr. Matija Strlič
The American-Slovenian Educational Foundation (ASEF) is organizing a new popular science lecture as part of the ASEF Speaker Series. This time, the lecture will be given by Dr. Matija Strlič, Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Ljubljana and Honorary Professor of Heritage Science at University College London. The lecture is titled: The Compass of Heritage Science: How Interdisciplinarity Connects Disciplines and Outlines a Vision for the Future. The event will take place on Thursday, November 27, at 6:30 PM in the Prešeren Hall (ZRC SAZU), Novi trg 4, Ljubljana. Registration is required to attend the lecture.
ABOUT THE LECTURE
Heritage Science is an umbrella term that connects heritage and related disciplines, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinarity. It is a young and rapidly developing field, at the core of which lies the understanding, preservation, and management of cultural heritage, from the analysis of materials and degradation processes to the comprehension of heritage values, social meanings, and community rights to heritage.
In this lecture, we will shed light on the interdisciplinary foundations of this field, dating back to Faraday’s chemical observations in the 19th century. We will highlight examples of ethical and thoughtful collaboration between experts from the natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, and humanities, where models can be used to advocate for more effective heritage preservation with a smaller carbon footprint. By looking into the future, we can enable more sustainable conservation, better risk management, and more considered decisions regarding investments, energy, accessibility, and use.
ABOUT THE LECTURER
Prof. Dr. Matija Strlič is a Full Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Ljubljana and an Honorary Professor of Heritage Science at University College London (UCL).
At UCL, he served as Deputy Director of the Institute for Sustainable Heritage from 2007 to 2019 and designed the Master’s programme in Heritage Science. In collaboration with the University of Oxford and the University of Brighton, he co-founded the Centre for Doctoral Education in “Science and Engineering in Arts, Heritage and Archaeology (SEAHA)” at UCL in 2014, which trained 60 young doctors of heritage science between 2014 and 2022. He actively participates in the development of the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS). He has published over 180 scientific articles and serves on the editorial boards of three international journals.
He has executed over 60 national and international projects with a total value exceeding 100 million euros, including leading the development project for the Centre of Excellence for Green Heritage Science.
In 2015, he received the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia in Science Award.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS
The American-Slovenian Educational Foundation (ASEF) is a foundation that connects Slovenian students, researchers, and professionals around the world, providing them with research and educational opportunities. Through the ASEF Speaker Series, it organizes monthly lectures by top experts who present their research work and interesting findings.
The Heri Sci Society – Young Professionals for Heritage Science Slovenia is a non-profit organization that brings together young researchers from various fields related to cultural heritage. It encourages interdisciplinary approaches that connect natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering, and digital sciences, thereby contributing to a better understanding and preservation of cultural heritage.
We warmly invite you to attend!
The program is co-financed by the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad and the Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Youth.