Research

To enable GreenHer CoE to focus on environmental, economic, and socio-cultural sustainability of heritage, we organise our activities within four Research Cores. These support seven pilot projects funded by the Horizon Europe GreenHer grant, as well as a number of nationally and internationally funded research projects.

PhD projects are integrated within the GreenHer research and training programmes.

Research Core I

Green Conservation–Restoration and Built Heritage

This Research Core focuses on the sustainable conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, with particular emphasis on green approaches and the built environment.

Its main areas of activity include:

Research on heritage collections, integrating green chemistry and materials science to develop novel conservation materials, processes, and tools, as well as advanced monitoring and modelling.

Research on the built heritage environment, including building assessment, conservation, surveying and monitoring, and the impacts of climate change on heritage collections and buildings.

Dr Lidija Korat Bensa

Research core I lead

Dr Lidija Korat Bensa

lidija.korat@zag.si

Geometric documentation of the TR3 tower (a monument of national significance) using a laser scanner. Source: arhiv ZAG.

Geometric documentation of the TR3 tower (a monument of national significance) using a laser scanner.

Pilot project 1

Novel packaging for heritage

The pilot project develops a new generation of sustainable active packaging systems for cultural heritage objects. It combines functional coatings for paper and cardboard packaging, active monomaterial thermoplastic packaging, and customised 3D-printed and plaster-based support systems. The developed solutions provide microclimate regulation, VOC adsorption, antimicrobial protection, and safer storage, transport, and handling of heritage objects. By integrating advanced materials, conservation science, and circular economy principles, the project establishes the first comprehensive active packaging platform for cultural heritage.

Prof Dr Lidija Fras Zemljič

Pilot project lead

Prof Dr Lidija Fras Zemljič

lidija.fras@um.si

Project team members

  • Matej Bračič
  • Giovanna Buonocore
  • Katherine Curran
  • Matija Črešnar
  • Abdelrazek Elnaggar
  • Lidija Fras Zemljič
  • Gennaro Gentile
  • Miha Humar
  • Lidija Korat Bensa
  • Janez Kosel
  • Irena Kralj Cigić
  • Ida Kraševec
  • Giuseppe Cesare Lama
  • Marino Lavorgna
  • Tamara Leskovar
  • Jaka Levanič
  • Nidia Lisić
  • Jasna Malešič
  • Bojan Miljević
  • Klementina Pušnik Črešnar
  • Daniela Reggio
  • Polonca Ropret
  • Chiara Santillo
  • Matija Strlič
  • Mirna Šandrić
  • Demian Špaleta
  • Manca Vinazza
  • Petra Vojaković
  • Miša Žnidarič

Next-generation active packaging for cultural heritage preservation. The pilot project develops three integrated pillars of active heritage packaging: functional coatings for paper and cardboard packaging, active monomaterial thermoplastic packaging, and customised 3D-printed and plaster-based support systems for the long-term preservation of cultural heritage objects.

Next-generation active packaging for cultural heritage preservation. The pilot project develops three integrated pillars of active heritage packaging: functional coatings for paper and cardboard packaging, active monomaterial thermoplastic packaging, and customised 3D-printed and plaster-based support systems for the long-term preservation of cultural heritage objects.

Pilot project 2

Sustainable heritage and climate

Cultural heritage is increasingly threatened by climate change and other natural hazards, accelerating the deterioration of historic buildings, monuments and archaeological sites. This pilot develops sustainable conservation solutions by integrating research on durable and compatible materials, structural and geotechnical resilience, and climate adaptation through building physics. The outcomes will strengthen the long-term preservation, safety and sustainability of built heritage.

Dr Lidija Korat Bensa

Pilot project lead

Dr Lidija Korat Bensa

lidija.korat@zag.si

Project team members

  • Matija Črešnar
  • Abdelrazek Elnaggar
  • Lidija Korat Bensa
  • Ida Kraševec
  • Jasna Malešič
  • Bojan Miljević
  • Polonca Ropret
  • Matija Strlič
  • Manca Vinazza
  • Alessandra Bonazza
  • Filippo Calcerano
  • Neža Čebron Lipovec
  • Randa Deraz
  • Elena Gigliarelli
  • Luka Gruškovnjak
  • Alen Hausmeister
  • Bor Kolar Bačnik
  • Lea Legan
  • Boštjan Lesar
  • Martina Lesar-Kikelj
  • Letizia Martinelli
  • Tim Mavrič
  • Virna Meccia
  • Branko Mušič
  • Scott Orr
  • Borut Osojnik
  • Alessandro Sardella
  • Paolo Stocchi
  • Katja Špec
  • Črtomir Tavzes

Measurements on concrete elements using georadar.

Measurements on concrete elements using georadar.
Source: ZAG Archives.

Research Core II

Sustainable Landscapes and Heritage Management

This Research Core focuses on heritage landscapes, sites, and innovative heritage management practices. It includes archaeological research, studies of wood as a heritage material, aerial and terrestrial surveying and monitoring, and the assessment of climate change impacts on landscapes and heritage sites. In addition, it addresses the implementation of Living Labs, with emphasis on intangible cultural heritage, sustainable heritage management, and the development of heritage tourism products.

Use of geoarchaeological methods during excavations of a settlement dating to the 1st millennium BC on Pungrt Hill above Ig in Ljubljana Marshes, a GreenHer Living Lab.
Photo: Matija Črešnar.

Research Core III

Values and Participatory Engagement

Research Core III examines how cultural heritage values shape conservation, management and policy. Using citizen science, participatory research and co-creation, it brings residents, experts and other stakeholders into assessing heritage and making decisions, including where values conflict. It studies differing perspectives, sustainable tourism and the social, environmental and economic effects of heritage.

Assoc Prof Dr Zrinka Mileusnić

Research core III lead

Assoc Prof Dr Zrinka Mileusnić

zrinka.mileusnic@fhs.upr.si

During a hands-on workshop within a student project, visitors restored mosaic replicas.

During a hands-on workshop within a student project, visitors restored mosaic replicas.
Photo: Neža Čebron Lipovec.

Pilot project 5

Heritage Value Observatory

Heritage Value Observatory will develop a research infrastructure for investigating how cultural heritage is perceived, experienced and valued across different contexts. Combining multilingual surveys, participatory approaches and statistical analysis, it will enable heritage values to be compared, mapped and interpreted across case studies. The Heritage Values Forum will bring diverse participants together to discuss and contextualise emerging findings. The Observatory will provide an expanding evidence base for heritage research, management and governance.

Lana Nastja Anžur

Pilot project lead

Lana Nastja Anžur

LanaNastja.Anzur@fkkt.uni-lj.si

Prof Dr Matija Strlič

Pilot project co-lead

Prof Dr Matija Strlič

Matija.Strlic@greenher.uni-lj.si

Project team members

  • Abdelrazek Elnaggar
  • Jasna Malešič
  • Bojan Miljević
  • Polonca Ropret
  • Matija Strlič
  • Miha Humar
  • Zrinka Mileusnić
  • Cecilia Bembibre
  • Lana Nastja Anžur
  • Ivana Cerato
  • Kalliopi Fouseki
  • Antonia Gravagnuolo
  • Idelfonso Nogueira
  • Maria Taloni

Pilot 5 will use citizen science and other participatory approaches to collect data on how people value cultural heritage. The data collected will be incorporated into the Cultural Heritage Values Observatory.

Pilot 5 will use citizen science and other participatory approaches to collect data on how people value cultural heritage. The data collected will be incorporated into the Cultural Heritage Values Observatory.
Photo: Matija Strlič.

Pilot project 6

Heritage Values and Policy

Pilot 6 studies how diverse heritage values can inform policy, conservation and sustainable management. In living labs at Simon’s Bay Archaeological Park and the Ljubljana Marshes, residents, experts and policymakers will map values, test participatory methods and address conflicts, tourism impacts and climate change. Outputs include tested management models, policy recommendations, assessment tools, a tourism monitoring system, a good-practice handbook and the GreenHer Heritage Values and Policy Forum for wider dialogue.

Asst Prof Dr Neža Čebron Lipovec

Pilot project lead

Asst Prof Dr Neža Čebron Lipovec

neza.cl@fhs.upr.si

Assoc Prof Dr Zrinka Mileusnić

Pilot project co-lead

Assoc Prof Dr Zrinka Mileusnić

zrinka.mileusnic@fhs.upr.si

Project team members

  • Abdelrazek Elnaggar
  • Jasna Malešič
  • Bojan Miljević
  • Polonca Ropret
  • Matija Strlič
  • Zrinka Mileusnić
  • Cecilia Bembibre
  • Lana Nastja Anžur
  • Kalliopi Fouseki
  • Maria Taloni
  • Neža Čebron Lipovec
  • Irena Lazar
  • Alenka Tomaž
  • Tim Mavrič
  • Črtomir Tavzes
  • Martina Lesar-Kikelj
  • Licia Cutroni
  • Alessandra Marasco
  • Richard Sandford
  • Katarinna Šmid

Pilot 6 researches the integration of diverse heritage values into policy, conservation and sustainable management. Stakeholder mapping.

Pilot 6 researches the integration of diverse heritage values into policy, conservation and sustainable management. Stakeholder mapping.
Photo: Zrinka Mileusnić.

Research Core IV

Digital Heritage

This research area focuses on digital heritage and advanced data technologies for cultural heritage. It includes research into data capture techniques and data analysis, artificial intelligence, visualization, digital communication, and data reuse. It also encompasses the development of the Slovenian Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage, including tools for digitization, storage, APIs, cultural heritage data spaces, and pilot implementations.

Prof Dr Domen Mongus

Research core IV lead

Prof Dr Domen Mongus

domen.mongus@um.si

Digitisation of Zdravljica by France Prešeren, 
one of the most important works of Slovenian written cultural heritage.
Source: NUK Archives.

Pilot project 7

Slovenian Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage

The rapid growth of digitised cultural heritage data has left many institutions with fragmented repositories that hinder data discovery, sharing, and collaborative analytics. Building on the AID HCH project, the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage, and the European Data Space for Cultural Heritage, this pilot will develop interoperable data ingestion infrastructure with AI analytics, supporting sustainable in-depth research into cultural heritage assets, data experimentation and knowledge discovery by agentic AI services, while strengthening Slovenia's integration into the European cultural heritage ecosystem by improved data sharing and FAIR compliance.

Prof Dr Domen Mongus

Pilot project lead

Prof Dr Domen Mongus

domen.mongus@um.si

Project team members

  • Abdelrazek Elnaggar
  • Jasna Malešič
  • Bojan Miljević
  • Polonca Ropret
  • Matija Strlič
  • Irena Lazar
  • Katarinna Šmid
  • Matija Črešnar
  • Dimitrij Mlekuž Vrhovnik
  • Srečko Bončina
  • Matej Brumen
  • Alberto Bucciero
  • Ibrahim Elrefaey
  • Josep Grau Bove
  • Rok Hafner
  • Andrej Hirci
  • Alenka Kavčič Čolić
  • Vid Klančar
  • Jana Kolar
  • Hend Mahgoub
  • Domen Mongus
  • Mitko Nikov
  • Sofia Pescarin
  • Dimitrios Rovas
  • Bakir Toskić
  • Niko Uremovič
  • Ajda Zavrtanik Drglin
  • Mitja Žalik

High-level functional system architecture of collaborative cloud for cultural heritage

High-level functional system architecture of collaborative cloud for cultural heritage