[Workshop] Public History in Indonesia: Possible tools to co-create a more inclusive representation of the past

Shuttle bus info (For those who registered for this workshop)
We would like to inform you that the ICAS 13 Organising Committee has prepared a shuttle bus from the Campus B, Universitas Airlangga to the Workshop venue, Museum Pendidikan. (Please note: Only for those who registered for the workshop).

If you want to make use of the shuttle service, please ensure to be at UNAIR shuttle bus pick-up/drop-off point by 16:00. Please note that the bus will leave to the workshop venue on time. An ICAS 13 Badge is required to board the shuttle bus.

*Shuttle bus only brings participants to the workshop location, after the session, participant can explore Surabaya at their leisure. Find more information about Surabaya transportation here.

The reality of the past is complex in its many facets and perspectives; however, dominant historical narratives have overtaken the representation of the past through a simplified version from a single perspective. Academics and (non)governmental officials are complicit in this process, not only by emphasizing some types of (historic) source material over others, but also by claiming authority over the past. Sharing the authority to narrate the past is therefore a crucial step to allow uncertainty in the historical narrative, and the way that we use history to interpret heritage (sites).
As a public historian and heritage scholar, it is my main aim to make history and heritage interpretation more inclusive and participative. The workshop will start with a short presentation, in which I will elaborate on the field of public history and why it is especially relevant in the efforts to move beyond the white male Eurocentric gaze. Deconstructing this gaze is easier done on paper than in practice, especially when faced with the societal reality. Therefore, I will highlight several projects from my work to empower marginalized voices through public historical practices.
Specifically, I will showcase an object-based, place-based, and art-based approach to public history. The object-based approach is based on crowdsourcing objects for a co-creation exhibition, the place-based approach relies on oral histories to bring hidden stories back into the public space, and the art-based approach highlights how urban art can be co-created to show social histories.
After presenting these public historical practices and their tools, we will take time to reflect on how one (or more) of these tools could be applied to the specific situations of the attendees. Shaping public history projects to the specific place you are working in is essential to include underrepresented groups, engage your audience, and honor the heritage you are preserving. Together, we can work towards creating participative practices in Indonesia which will stimulate a more polyvocal and inclusive representation of the past.