EUR part of NWA-ORC grant for “Traumascapes” project

The research team from Erasmus University Rotterdam is part of the Heritage & Identity research cluster within the Erasmus Research Institute for Media, Culture, History & Society (ERMeCHS). The team, consisting of prof. dr. Stijn Reijnders, dr. Tina van der Vlies, dr. Naomi Oosterman and prof. dr. Robbert-Jan Adriaansen, will lead a sub-project focusing on the role of tourism at these sensitive sites.

Understanding Traumascapes

Across the Netherlands and its former colonies, there are numerous “traumascapes”: places marked by the traces and memories of trauma and loss. These sites can range from concentration camps like Westerbork and colonial-era plantations in Suriname to landscapes of environmental harm, such as the Groningen gas field.

These places are crucial for identity and remembrance, but they also evoke polarized societal debates about their meaning and future. The Traumascapes project aims to make these sites more visible, accessible, and inclusive, not only to reflect on their past but also to use them for productive dialogue and to navigate the transitions of the future. The project brings together a wide array of partners, including archaeologists, historians, psychologists, heritage institutions, and community groups.

The Erasmus Contribution: Ethnographies of Traumascape Tourism

The ESHCC project will specifically investigate the complex role of tourism in and around traumascapes, a field often referred to as “dark tourism.” The sub-project “Ethnographies of Traumascape Tourism” will explore the opportunities and pitfalls that tourism presents for these historically fraught sites.

Tourism is vital for the management of many traumascapes, generating revenue and providing a didactic, experience-based platform to share painful stories of the past. However, the commercial exploitation of these sites can also lead to a simplification of history, the alienation of affected communities, and a hindrance to efforts toward social justice and reconciliation.

A Collaborative Effort for Societal Impact

The Traumascapes project is a good example of the NWA-ORC programme’s mission to fund research that fosters collaboration between academic and societal partners to achieve tangible impact. The funding allows the large consortium to develop innovative frameworks and practical tools for dealing with contested heritage, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and resilient society.

Consortium Partners

The consortium is led by Leiden University and the University of Amsterdam and includes: Amsterdam University of the Arts, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Heritage House South Holland, Westerbork Memorial Centre, Jewish Cultural Quarter, KITLV/Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Maastricht University, Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Natuurmonumenten, Open University, Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands, Radboud University Nijmegen, Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, Pelita Foundation, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Utrecht University, VALUE Foundation, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Wageningen University & Research.