Wed 22 April 2026, 13:00 - 16:00. Held online at Digidaar.
How can we make use of virtual spaces for cultural and social outreach work? We will explore the current state of the technology and its various possibilities, as well as examining its implications more broadly.
What kind of differences in communication and engagement could the transition to virtual platforms bring with it? How do we navigate the varied field of existing platforms, and to what extent should we, or could we, function independently from them?
During the first half, we invite speakers to discuss their own practical experiences with the use of these new technologies. The goal is to hear from voices in the cultural, social as well as the technological sectors on their experiments. How did they attempt to integrate virtual public spaces into their existing outreach work? How were these experiments received by the public? What lessons can we learn?
For the second half, we would encourage attendees to participate in collective discussions, first in smaller groups and subsequently also collectively. The groups would build on the preceding presentations, giving participants a chance to reflect on possible strengths and weaknesses of virtual public spaces for their own practice. In a final collective panel discussion, common threads in these discussions can then be unravelled.
Please register through this form to receive updates in your mailbox. The full timetable will follow by the end of 2025.
Timetable
| 13:00 | Fady Labib & Dhiaa Biya (Amsab-ISH) Intro to Digidaar and to themes of the workshop |
| 13:25 | Fred Truyen & Sofie Taes: DigitGLAM (KUL) |
| 13:50 | Anke Berckmans (Kom op tegen Kanker) #RIProken: Fortnite as a vehicle for lung cancer awareness |
| 14:15 | Kristof Timmerman (AP Antwerpen) |
| 14:40 | Hatim Rachidi (Inclusion Lab) |
| 15:00 | Break |
| 15:10 | Discussion: Break-out rooms |
| 15:30 | Discussion: Collective conversation |
| 16:00 | Closing reception: a chance to further explore Digidaar as well as connect with the other participants |
Speakers
Digidaar: the virtual museum
Fady Labib & Dhiaa Biya (Amsab-ISH)
Digidaar is a virtual museum and archive center that resulted from a collaboration between Amsab-ISH, Voem vzw, and Space Makers. (...)
DigitGLAM
Fred Truyen & Sofie Taes (KU Leuven)
Immersive Lab
Kristof Timmerman
#RIProken
Anke Berckman (Kom op Tegen Kanker)
As a part of an ongoing campaign against smoking aimed at young people, cancer foundation Kom op Tegen Kanker has created a Fortnite level and co-operated with various streamers to further spread their message. (...)
Inclusion Lab
Hatim Rachidi
At Inclusion Lab, we use Virtual Reality (VR) and interactive applications to make STEM learning more engaging and accessible for young people and vulnerable groups. Through immersive technologies, participants explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a practical and motivating way. We use several innovative tools to help develop digital skills, stimulate curiosity, and strengthen confidence in STEM through an inclusive and innovative learning environment.
Practicalities
The event will be held online at Digidaar.






