The SHIFT project team gathered in Berlin on October 30-31, 2024, for a pivotal consortium meeting to assess progress, share insights, and define the next steps in transforming the cultural heritage sector through technology.
Over the course of the two-day meeting, consortium partners shared significant progress in their work, highlighting the collaborative effort required to move SHIFT’s ambitious goals forward. Each partner presented their contributions to the project, ensuring alignment with SHIFT’s mission to develop accessible and innovative digital tools for cultural heritage institutions (CHIs).
The meeting also provided an opportunity to take stock of SHIFT’s progress towards its key performance indicators (KPIs). The consortium engaged in productive discussions about challenges faced so far and identified solutions to ensure the successful achievement of these goals. Plans for the next phase of the project were mapped out, focusing on technological integration, pilot evaluations, and the continued development of inclusive frameworks.
Demonstrating SHIFT
One of the main highlights was the presentation of the SHIFT platform functionalities. A comprehensive user guide was shared, detailing how cultural heritage professionals can harness the platform to create more inclusive and immersive experiences. This tool will serve as a cornerstone for the project’s ongoing development and a key resource for partners and stakeholders in the field.
Attendees had the opportunity to experience the SHIFT platform firsthand during interactive demonstrations. Participants as well as sight-impaired individuals were given a unique chance to try out the VR headsets and haptic gloves of the project’s haptics tool, preparted by FORTH. The tool is designed to enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of cultural heritage exhibits and allow users to engage with heritage content in entirely new ways, regardless ofphysical ability.
Furthermore, each technical partner provided valuable examples from their respective use cases. These practical demonstrations illustrated how the various tools and methodologies developed by the SHIFT consortium are being implemented in real-world settings. These examples showcased the transformative potential of the project’s technologies, which aim to provide new experiences for all citizens, including people with disabilities.
SHIFT’s Impact: Key Events and Publications
In addition to the project’s internal updates, the team shared exciting news about SHIFT’s growing visibility in the cultural heritage sector. SHIFT was featured at the ReImagining Public Collections conference in Budapest, organized as part of Hungary’s rotating EU Presidency. During the conference, the SHIFT team also organized a panel with sister projects from its Horizon Europe funding cluster, facilitating valuable exchanges on the future of public collections.
Partners were also briefed on the publication of a common policy brief in collaboration with the aforementioned EU-funded projects while the consortium was proud to announce the release of a SHIFT e-Book titled Inclusion in Museums, published by the Balkan Museum Network.
Looking Ahead
As SHIFT moves into the next phase of its work, several exciting developments are on the horizon. The team will continue to refine the SHIFT platform’s architecture, tools and integration, ensuring that the project delivers seamless experiences for users and stakeholders alike. Focus will also be placed on the evaluation of pilot projects, which will help test the accessibility and usability of the platform and the SHIFT tools for various target groups.
In addition, the consortium will amplify its outreach efforts, with more events, publications, and collaborations planned to raise awareness of the project’s impact on cultural heritage and creative industries.
The SHIFT consortium’s meeting in Berlin was a crucial moment for the project, bringing together the diverse expertise of its partners and underscoring the team’s collective commitment to driving innovation and inclusion in the cultural heritage sector. With a clear vision and shared determination, SHIFT will continue to work to transform the way cultural heritage is accessed and experienced by people across the globe.
