Maria Gravari-Barbas

Prof. Maria Gravari-Barbas is a Professor at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, specializing in heritage studies and tourism. She directs the Institute for Research and Advanced Studies in Tourism (IREST) and the Interdisciplinary Research Team on Tourism (EIREST). As UNESCO Chair Coordinator and leader of the UNITWIN UNESCO Network on Culture, Tourism, and Development, her work focuses on non-institutional heritage production, urban heritage dynamics, and the interplay between cultural policies and tourism.

Her research explores alternative heritage forms, including dissonant and under-recognized expressions emerging in contemporary metropolises. She emphasizes the expansion of heritage actors and typologies beyond traditional frameworks. Current affiliations include leadership roles in UNESCO-linked initiatives and academic research teams dedicated to tourism and cultural development.

No specific scientific awards or grant details are mentioned in the provided texts. Her advising activities and student supervision are not explicitly listed here. She contributes to academic events such as the ACHS 2016 conference, where she discussed 'Alter-Heritagization' and urban heritage transformations.