Episode 7 of the "Digging Digital" podcast series released: Community Engagement and Local Hubs
14/08/2026
The ARCHAEODIGIT project is pleased to announce the release of the seventh episode of its podcast series, "Digging Digital: the ARCHAEODIGIT Podcast." Developed within the framework of the project's training and communication activities, the series explores innovative approaches to the valorisation of archaeological heritage through digital skills, communication, sustainable management, and audience engagement.
Following the thematic structure of the ARCHAEODIGIT Joint Training Courses, the podcast series brings together experts and practitioners to discuss key topics related to the digital transformation and sustainable management of archaeology and cultural heritage. Through conversations and practical examples, the series provides valuable insights for cultural heritage professionals, tourism operators, researchers, students, public authorities, and anyone interested in making archaeological heritage more accessible, resilient, and sustainable.
Episode 7: Community Engagement and Local Hubs
The seventh episode continues the exploration of modern heritage management, addressing a crucial topic for the future of cultural heritage: the vital importance of involving citizens, SMEs, and local stakeholders in the decision-making process.
Hosted by Izabela Del Vechio from University of Pula, the episode features Dr. Aljoša Vitasović, Full Professor. Together, they dive deep into the strategies required to build strong synergies between archaeological sites and their surrounding communities, explaining why cultural heritage must be seamlessly integrated into everyday life.
During the conversation, Dr. Vitasović explores several key concepts:
- Beyond the "Tourist Bubble": He challenges the idea of isolating cultural heritage sites and tourism from the real life of the city, highlighting how to avoid the trap of "staged" tourism.
- Tourism as a Social Phenomenon: The discussion emphasizes that tourism is not just an economic category, but a powerful social tool whose primary goal should be improving the quality of life for both residents and visitors.
- The Vižula Example: Dr. Vitasović illustrates true sustainable governance by showing how making archaeological sites useful to the local population—such as turning them into year-round recreational areas for families and locals—creates lasting value.
- Empowering Local Communities: A central theme is the importance of economic stability for locals. This stability allows them to step up as genuine guardians and promoters of their material and immaterial heritage, rather than feeling forced into tourism as an economic monoculture.
Continuing the journey through digital archaeology
"Digging Digital: the ARCHAEODIGIT Podcast" consists of 20 episodes, organised into thematic modules reflecting the project's training programme. Future episodes will continue exploring digital communication, innovative technologies, archaeological park management, heritage interpretation, audience engagement, sustainable tourism, and collaborative approaches to preserving and promoting archaeological heritage across the Adriatic-Ionian region.
The podcast series represents another step in ARCHAEODIGIT's commitment to strengthening the skills of professionals working in archaeology and cultural heritage while encouraging collaboration and knowledge exchange among institutions, researchers, tourism stakeholders, public authorities, and local communities.
