معرفی
Professor Gil Pasternak is Professor of Photographic Cultures and Heritage at De Montfort University (DMU), affiliated with the School of Arts, Design and Architecture and a leading member of the Photographic History Research Centre (PHRC). He leads the MA in Photographic History and serves as Europe and UK Editor of Photography & Culture. He has held visiting appointments at Koç University, the University of Porto, and the State Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Tatarstan, and is Co-director of Ph: The Photography Research Network.
His research explores the intersections of photography with politics, cultural heritage, and identity, focusing on vernacular photography in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, post/digital heritage, and Jewish history in Eastern Europe. He employs participatory and action research methodologies, emphasizing inclusivity and community engagement. His key research areas include photographic historiography, digital heritage in conflict zones, and the political life of domestic photographs.
His recent publications, including The Handbook of Photography Studies and special issues on digital heritage and Jewish dress, reflect a broad and deep engagement with visual culture. His projects, such as the European Commission-funded 'Digital Heritage in Cultural Conflicts' and UKRI’s 'Picturing Untold Migration Experiences', demonstrate his leadership in interdisciplinary, internationally funded research.
Honours and awards include membership in the AHRC Peer Review College and visiting professorships in Turkey and Portugal. He has served on advisory boards for cultural heritage organizations like the Apna Heritage Archive and Derby Yaadaañ Archive.
Professor Pasternak has supervised numerous PhD students to completion and currently mentors several doctoral researchers in topics related to photographic heritage, migration, and post-communist visual cultures. He has led major grant-funded projects and collaborative research initiatives, including the DigiCONFLICT Research Consortium. His work extends beyond academia through public exhibitions, BBC consultancy, and media contributions on family photography and digital culture.
He is actively involved in professional communities, serving on editorial boards for Photography & Culture, EP, and Jewish Film & New Media, and as a peer reviewer for leading journals in photography, cultural studies, and visual anthropology.
