CALL FOR PAPERS – ‘Doctrinal’ Texts in an Age of Living Heritage: What/Who are They For, and Do We Still Need Them?

Written by Nigel Walter on . Posted in Call for Papers

The International Scientific Committee on Theory and Philosophy of Conservation and Restoration (TheoPhilos) will hold a session as part of GA2026 in Kuching, Malaysia on the theme of ‘Doctrinal’ Texts in an Age of Living Heritage. 2026 also marks the 20th anniversary of the very first TheoPhilos meeting in Krakow in May 2006.

Responding to the ongoing Review of the Doctrinal Text Adoption Process and the GA theme of Living Heritage, this session will discuss whether it is still feasible or desirable to attempt to develop universal principles for the conservation and care of historic places in an age when local communities and regional interests have an increasing say in conservation processes. It will discuss the case for (and against) continuing to produce such documents, and the practical experiences of attempting to do so. The session presentations will be in PechaKucha format (maximum 6m 40s and 20 slides), followed by discussion.

The conference will address the following themes:

  1. What is a ‘Doctrinal’ Text, and are they compatible with Living Heritage?
  2. What role, if any, should ‘Doctrinal’ Texts play in a Living Heritage context?
  3. How can we speak of universalism in a Living Heritage context?
  4. Personal (positive or negative) experience/examples of the use of ‘Doctrinal’ Texts in a Living Heritage context 

Submission of abstracts for proposed papers is via this web form: https://www.icomosga2026.org.my/en/abstract. When submitting your abstract, please ensure that in answer to the first question (‘Submission Category’) that you select ‘Session’, and then the third option. The deadline for submissions is Thursday 30 April 2026. You can download the PDF-format CALL FOR PAPERS, and (in French) APPEL POUR DES PAPIERS. Authors of papers will be informed of the reviewers’ decision in line with the Symposium organisers’ timescales by 15 June 2026.

Please note that presentations are in PechaKucha format, and so are limited to up to 20 slides and 6m 40s length. The aim of the presentations is to provide the context for the following discussions. Presentations are in-person only. By participating in this conference you agree to the video of the sessions being published on our website via YouTube.