Heritage practice is inextricably linked with conservation and preservation. Objects and buildings created by previous generations are passed on to the future ones with great care. Little wonder that the list of protected heritage in the Netherlands is marked by steady growth. At the same time, depots are overcrowded, many objects never get exhibited, and heritage management and preservation consume a lot of energy. In the light of the climate crisis and need for responsible handling of heritage for future generations, this research project explores the limits of the growth and possible scenarios for addressing it in practice.

Acting at the intersection of culture and economy, film distributors shape the meanings of individual films through their programming and marketing, as well as the perception of entire film genres and categories. This project examines how Salzgeber & Co. Medien GmbH, Germany’s largest and oldest distributor of queer films, has shaped the category of queer cinema since its founding in 1985. Using a mixed-methods approach with archival research, document analysis, and interviews, the study explores both macro-level developments, such as economic and technological shifts, and the reactions to those at the micro-level in queer film distribution companies.

The scale and rapidity of Africa’s population growth is unprecedented in recorded history. Yet, the long-term development and causes of Africa’s mortality and fertility change remain poorly understood due to the lack of longitudinal individual-level data during the colonial era (ca. 1890-1960). This project will collect unexplored historical church registers of the earliest 10 Lutheran mission stations in Tanzania to reconstruct and examine child mortality and fertility change under colonial rule. This will significantly improve our understanding of the historical origins of African population growth and shed new light on when and why health improved in the world’s poorest region.

The project aims to develop effective guidelines for healthy social media (SM) use by reducing negative emotional impacts people experience when continuously scrolling through SM contents. I investigate how setting specific goals and being reminded of them while using SM can help users manage their behavior better, reducing harmful emotional outcomes. The studies will examine the relationship between goal presence, SM use habits, and mental well-being and test a buffer effect of goal setting in SM environment. Findings will inform practical strategies to combat negative effects of social media, offering an evidence-based intervention for public health.

This project redefines our understanding of late-medieval musical heritage by shifting focus from traditional centres, such as Paris and Florence, to the pivotal, yet overlooked, roles of noblewomen in the regional centres of Marseille and Aix-en-Provence. By focusing on female patronage, the research reveals how noble women capitalized on the cults of St. Mary Magdalene and St. Louis of Toulouse and wielded music as a powerful tool for expanding political influence and dynastic prestige. This study is transformative, challenging established scholarly narratives and highlighting the indispensable role of women and regional centres in shaping the cultural landscape of medieval Europe.