No. 116/2024

30 HUMBOLDT KOSMOS 116/2024 CLOSE UP ON RESEARCH socio-economic initiatives in the form of a craft centre support the relatives of former inmates. Labadi says, “If you want to successfully manage heritage in African countries beyond colonial structures, you have to think holistically.” Whilst heritage is being considered as a way of combating poverty, for instance through tourism, according to Labadi, the neocolonial attitude that tourists from the Global North could put an end to poverty still exists: Locals are often trained to do precarious jobs that essentially fulfil the needs of foreigners, such as tour guides or service staff in hotels and restaurants largely owned by White people. Labadi says, “Tourism needs to be seriously re-thought so that local communities reap the benefits.” RESEARCH IN PRACTICE Her theories and insights not only shape the academic discourse, but also the practice of heritage management worldwide. Labadi thus cooperates with international organisations, such as UNESCO and the World Bank, as well as with governments in countries like South Korea, advising, for instance, on developing heritage strategies, on publications and on new curricula on the topic of heritage and museums. “This practical perspective enriches my work enormously and constantly generates new research questions,” says Labadi. “My research should be beneficial and tackle social challenges,” she continues. “As a researcher, I also have a responsibility to society. I can’t conceive of not addressing the problems of real life.” And it is also important to her that more African heritage sites should be recognised. “Since I started doing my research, more than half of the World Heritage sites are still in Europe – this colonial symbolism urgently needs dismantling.” LINKED WITH HER OWN IDENTITY Originally, Labadi didn’t really want to work on topics like colonialism and diversity. “It was only when I got my first permanent academic position and later a full professorship that I started to do so.” In 2019, Labadi was the first woman of African heritage – she is a member of the Kabyle, an Indigenous Berber people of Algeria – to be appointed to a professorship in cultural heritage in the United Kingdom. “It was an historic moment for me, not only because of my origins, but also because I am the first female academic from a family that belonged to the so-called lower class.” It was only when she was sure that the academic world firmly associated her name with cultural heritage research that she started working on migration and justice issues – topics that are also linked with her own identity. “It means a lot to me not to be pigeonholed as a researcher with an immigrant background working only on cultural heritage and migration issues.” For her book, “Museums, Immigrants, and Social Justice”, Labadi used case studies to investigate how museums can help address key issues faced by immigrants. She cites the example of the Danish National Gallery: During a six-week programme for language school students, the participants worked on interpretations of artworks of their choice and presented them in Danish during museum tours. Labadi says, “Museums should CULTURAL HERITAGE IS STILL SEEN AS AN UNCHANGEABLE PART OF THE PAST.” SOPHIA LABADI “