Valika T. Smeulders

Valika T. Smeulders is a Professor by Special Appointment in 'Museums, Heritage and Religion' at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society. She concurrently serves as Head of the History Department at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and holds roles in the Colonial Collections Consortium and Royal Collections Advisory Boards. Her work focuses on colonial history, museum curation, and postcolonial heritage, with a particular emphasis on Dutch colonialism and slavery's legacy. Smeulders has curated pivotal exhibitions like the 2021 slavery-focused show and contributed to national dialogues on historical restitution.

Her research integrates oral histories, material culture, and interdisciplinary approaches to decolonize museum narratives. Notable publications include Ons koloniale verleden in 50 voorwerpen (2023) and analyses of Dutch colonial art's racial representations. Awards include the Die Haghe Prijs (2022) for Het koloniale en slavernijverleden van Hofstad Den Haag. Smeulders advocates for inclusive museum practices, emphasizing marginalized voices and global collaborations through initiatives like Wiki Goes Caribbean.

Her advisory roles span the Vereniging Rembrandt and Libris Geschiedenis Prijs, reflecting her commitment to ethical cultural heritage management. Media engagements include El País interviews and TV documentaries, highlighting her role in reshaping national historical narratives.