RESEARCH-ARTICLE
Towards Inclusive Digital Futures of Cultural Heritage: Insights from a Critical Discourse Analysis of UNESCO Dialogues
Digital technologies are shaping many aspects of cultural heritage, but very little research has examined the implications of digital transformation. Drawing on concepts from Fairclough's three-dimensional critical discourse analysis, this research examines the discourse using seven online dialogues (available on the UNESCO website) between 18 professionals who have different backgrounds and cultures to identify social practices related to the digital transformation of cultural heritage. We identify four digital transformation discourse types in professional dialogues: documentation, management, interpretation, and interaction. We also identify seven main groups: memory institutions including libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs), governments, international organizations, art and creative supporters, technological supporters, communities, and users and visitors. From a critical discourse analysis, we identify both positive and negative effects of the digital transformation. The negative effects include the adverse consequences of long-term preservation, shifts in culture-technology relationships, and perceived "big" institutional power. Professionals' suggestions for empowering marginalized group members include encouraging research on digital accessibility and differentiating between authenticity and virtuality. These findings suggest that inclusiveness is important to digital futures of cultural heritage, and inclusiveness can be operationalized by emphasizing closer collaboration, balancing technology and culture, and promoting real public participation.
Executive Impact Summary
This research delves into the digital transformation of cultural heritage through a critical discourse analysis of UNESCO dialogues. It identifies four key discourse types (documentation, management, interpretation, interaction) and seven stakeholder groups. The study uncovers both positive and negative effects of this transformation, highlighting issues like preservation challenges, cultural shifts, and power imbalances. Crucially, it proposes pathways for more inclusive digital futures, emphasizing collaboration, balance between technology and culture, and genuine public participation.
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Discourse Types Identified
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Stakeholder Groups Analyzed
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Professionals Interviewed
Deep Analysis & Enterprise Applications
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Critical Discourse Analysis
Digital Transformation Impacts
Inclusive Futures
The study applies Fairclough's three-dimensional CDA model (text, discursive practice, social practice) to analyze UNESCO dialogues. It reveals how language and technology shape digital futures, uncovering power relations and vested interests to identify alternative, more emancipatory and sustainable futures for cultural heritage.
Digital transformation facilitates new forms of preservation, interpretation, and public engagement for cultural heritage. However, it also presents challenges like long-term preservation issues, shifts in culture-technology dynamics, and the concentration of institutional power.
To achieve inclusive digital futures, the research advocates for closer collaboration between LAMs, technology sectors, and academia. It also suggests moving beyond purely technical frameworks by incorporating insights from cultural studies, anthropology, and narrative theory, and promoting real public participation.
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Key Digital Transformation Discourse Types
Fairclough's Three-Dimensional Critical Discourse Analysis Method
Text Analysis
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Discursive Practice Analysis
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Social Practice Analysis
| Aspect | Positive Effects | Negative Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Preservation & Data |
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| Management & Access |
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| Interpretation & Engagement |
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Unbalanced Power Dynamics in Cultural Heritage Digitization
In the digital transformation of cultural heritage, different stakeholders assume distinct roles that reflect uneven distributions of power. Libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs) often intervene proactively, serving as cultural venues and leaders. International organizations and governments act as coordinators, establishing policy frameworks and facilitating cross-border collaboration. Technological and art/creative supporters leverage their advantages in platforms, tools, and expertise, but their involvement is frequently shaped by commercial considerations. A participant remarked, "It sounds a little scary because you (Google Arts and Culture) have a lot of power. There are not many organizations like yours that can actually engage in terms of the quality scale of digital heritage." In contrast, communities, users, and visitors are typically relegated to passive acceptors without meaningful opportunities to influence future direction, highlighting a need for more equitable participation.
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Phase 1: Critical Discourse Analysis Setup
Define research questions, select UNESCO dialogues as corpus, and apply Fairclough's three-dimensional CDA methodology (text, discursive, social practice analysis). This phase focuses on data preparation and foundational analytical framework application.
Phase 2: Discourse Identification & Impact Assessment
Identify digital transformation discourse types (documentation, management, interpretation, interaction) and stakeholder groups. Analyze both positive and negative effects of digital transformation on cultural heritage based on the CDA findings.
Phase 3: Developing Inclusive Futures Strategies
Formulate recommendations for fostering inclusive digital futures, emphasizing collaboration between LAMs, technology, and academia. Integrate insights from cultural studies and promote public participation to balance technology and culture, and ensure authenticity.
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