Nathanaël Wadbled

Nathanaël Wadbled is an associate researcher in Information and Communication Sciences at the University of Tours, affiliated with the PRIM research institute. With a PhD from the University of Lorraine (2016) on the experience of visiting memorial sites, particularly focusing on school trips to Auschwitz-Birkenau, Dr. Wadbled has established himself as a significant voice in critical heritage studies, dark tourism, and memory studies.

Dr. Wadbled's research primarily explores non-heritage experiences of remnants from the past. His work bridges several key areas:

• Critical Heritage Studies: Examining how people experience heritage beyond official narratives
• Dark Tourism: Studying visitor experiences at sites associated with death and tragedy
• Environmental Heritage: Investigating the ecological significance of urban ruins and abandoned sites
• Memory Studies: Analyzing how historical events are remembered and transmitted through physical spaces
• Gender Studies: Exploring the relationship between identity, performativity, and heritage experiences

His research methodology uniquely combines academic inquiry with practical experience as a tour guide and lecturer, allowing him to study visitor experiences from both observational and participatory perspectives. Dr. Wadbled has developed frameworks for understanding 'dark ecological tourism' and how abandoned industrial sites can serve as spaces for experiencing the Anthropocene.

Dr. Wadbled's publications demonstrate a research trajectory evolving from Holocaust memory studies toward broader questions about environmental heritage in the Anthropocene. His recent work examines the ecological significance of urban ruins, the relationship between cultural heritage and environmental change, and the role of ruins in representing human impact on the planet.

His notable contributions include:

• Developing the concept of 'dark ecological tourism' to understand environmental experiences at ruin sites
• Examining the relationship between the Anthropocene and cultural heritage
• Exploring how school visits to memorial sites function as educational experiences
• Analyzing the sensory and emotional dimensions of heritage site experiences
• Investigating the intersection of gender studies and heritage experiences

Dr. Wadbled's research has practical applications for museum educators, heritage site managers, and those developing educational programs around difficult histories and environmental issues. His work emphasizes the importance of embodied, sensory experiences in understanding both historical trauma and contemporary environmental challenges.