About Fien
​ is a public and digital historian at Ghent University, where she is affiliated with the Department of History, the Ghent Centre for Digital Humanities (GhentCDH) and the Centre for Meta- & Public History (). Her research and professional practice focus on public history, digital heritage, participatory research, and the meaningful reuse of cultural heritage collections and data. She has extensive experience in developing collaborative heritage projects that connect academic research with communities, heritage organizations, and broader audiences.
As coordinator and lecturer in Public History at Ghent University, Fien explores how digital technologies can support heritage engagement, knowledge co-creation, and science communication. Her work spans topics such as digital humanities, urban and cultural heritage, geospatial storytelling, and citizen participation in heritage practices. She has contributed to and led a range of innovative projects, including initiatives that make heritage and archaeological collections more accessible and relevant to contemporary communities.
Within the field of Heritage Practice Communities, Fien is particularly interested in how communities create, share, and sustain heritage knowledge in digital environments. Her work examines participatory methods, collaborative knowledge production, and the relationships between researchers, heritage professionals, and grassroots heritage initiatives. She is committed to fostering inclusive and ethical approaches to heritage research and public engagement.
This expertise positions her at the intersection of heritage studies, digital humanities, and community participation, contributing to a deeper understanding of how heritage is practiced, negotiated, and shared in an increasingly digitized world.
