About the conference
MRCH brings together researchers, conservators, archivists, museum and library professionals, scientists, designers and heritage practitioners to explore cultural heritage through contemporary methods, materials, technologies and interdisciplinary perspectives.
Cultural heritage through science, technology and interpretation
Multidisciplinary Research on Cultural Heritage — MRCH — is an international scientific conference focused on the study, preservation, digitization and contemporary interpretation of cultural heritage.
The conference connects diverse fields that rarely stand alone in heritage research: conservation-restoration, archival and library studies, museum practice, material science, imaging technologies, digital humanities, artificial intelligence, ecology, design, musicology, cartography and written heritage.
MRCH is built around the idea that cultural heritage is both material and immaterial, historical and contemporary, scientific and social. Through lectures, presentations, poster sessions, guided visits and laboratory-based formats, the conference opens space for researchers and practitioners to exchange methods, case studies and new approaches to heritage preservation.
The 2026 edition reflects this range through sessions dedicated to documented music heritage, digital access, heritage protection, AI and economy, museum and library collections, cartography and codices, sacred spaces and material culture, technology in preservation practice, textile heritage, material analysis and conservation-restoration.
What the conference covers
The conference follows recurring research strands that connect scientific, technological, historical and institutional approaches to cultural heritage.
Digital heritage, AI & access
Digitization, digital archives, artificial intelligence, virtual reconstruction, data workflows and new forms of access to cultural heritage.
Conservation-restoration & preservation
Research and practice in the preservation of paintings, paper, wood, textiles, metals, wall paintings, archaeological objects and museum collections.
Material science & non-invasive methods
Material analysis, multispectral and hyperspectral imaging, X-ray radiography, colour research, coatings, plasma treatments and other scientific methods in heritage studies.
Written, musical & archival heritage
Manuscripts, codices, marginalia, archives, cartography, chronicles, music collections and other forms of documented cultural memory.
Museums, libraries & collections
Museum and library collections, curatorial practice, collection interpretation, documentation and institutional approaches to heritage protection.
Ecology, design & contemporary heritage
Ecology, climate change, circular economy, adaptive reuse, sustainable tourism, contemporary design and the evolving social value of cultural heritage.
Three editions of multidisciplinary exchange
Organised across heritage, academic and museum institutions
MRCH 2026 is organised through the collaboration of Croatian heritage, academic and museum institutions, bringing together archival, scientific, educational and exhibition contexts.
- Faculty of Textile Technology, University of Zagreb
- ICARUS – International Centre for Archival Research
- European Research Centre for Book and Paper Conservation-Restoration (ERC-BP)
- International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC) – Croatian group
Program and Organizing Committee:
- Andreja DragojevićCroatian State Archives
- Maja Strižić JakovljevićUniversity of Zagreb, Faculty of Graphic Arts
- Emilia PlukavecCroatian State Archives
- Vladimir CviljušacUniversity of Zagreb, Faculty of Graphic Arts
- Ladislav DobricaCroatian State Archives
- Mirta PavićMuseum of Contemporary Art Zagreb
- Tamara RunjakCroatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
- Luka RamljakUniversity of Zagreb, Faculty of Graphic Arts
- Marina SelnikCroatian State Archives
Scientific and Reviewing Committee:
- Diana Gregor SvetecUniversity of Ljubljana, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering (SLO)
- Peter EklerNational Archives of Hungary, Budapest (HUN)
- Zoran GazibarićUniversity of Banja Luka, Faculty of Technology (BIH)
- Nemanja KašikovićUniversity of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences (SRB)
- Neda Milić KerestešUniversity of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences (SRB)
- Ljerka DulibićCroatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HRV)
- Žana Matulić-BilačCroatian Conservation Institute (HRV)
- Patricia EngelUniversity for Continuing Education Krems (AUT)
- Tatjana ŠarićCroatian State Archives (HRV)
- Hrvoje KekezCatholic University of Croatia (HRV)