Sophia Labadi

Sophia Labadi is Professor of Heritage at the University of Kent and co-Director of the Centre for Heritage. She holds a PhD in Cultural Heritage Studies from University College London and a BA in Political Sciences from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques, Grenoble. She has been a fellow at institutions including Stanford University, the Getty Conservation Institute, and the University of Bamberg.

• PhD, Cultural Heritage Studies, Institute of Archaeology, UCL
• MA, Cultural Heritage Studies, UCL
• BA, Political Sciences, Institut d’Etudes Politiques, Grenoble

Her research focuses on the intersections of cultural heritage with social justice, sustainable development, migration, and global policy. She has extensively published on museums and immigrants, World Heritage, and the role of heritage in international aid. Her work emphasizes the importance of inclusive, equitable, and community-centered heritage practices.

The recent publications highlight a strong focus on decolonization, gender equality, post-pandemic recovery, and the alignment of heritage policy with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Her work bridges academic research and real-world policy impact.

• 2023 Reimar Lüst Prize (Humboldt Foundation)
• 2022 European Archaeological Heritage Prize
• 2008 Cultural Policy Research Award

Sophia Labadi has secured funding from major bodies including the Arts and Humanities Research Council, Global Challenges Research Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, and the European Cultural Foundation. She has advised UNESCO, the World Bank, and national governments. She supervises PhD students on diverse topics such as heritage regeneration, diversity in museums, and digital reconstructions. She is a member of the Health, Wellbeing and the Senses research cluster and actively contributes to shaping heritage policy globally.