Peace Through Memory: How Preservation and Memorials Create Conflict and Produce Resolution
Institutional Affiliation
University of Texas at Austin
Start Date
January 2026
End Date
January 2026
Proposal Type
Presentation
Proposal Format
Virtual
Proposal Description
Who decides what acts of heroism or tragedy deserve to be remembered? Who decides where a memorial should stand, how it should look, and what story or stories it should tell? Who and what should guide decisions about what properties get preserved and what land can be redeveloped? How do we address conflicts that arise when some call for memorials to be removed or controversial figures to be remembered? In this interactive session, we will discuss a set of case studies drawn from the presenter's own practice and research and consider how we, as practitioners and researchers, can help those seeking healing and reunification through the creation of a memorial or landmark. We will dissect the many aspects of conflict that can arise and have arisen, as well as methods used to resolve those conflicts.
Peace Through Memory: How Preservation and Memorials Create Conflict and Produce Resolution
Who decides what acts of heroism or tragedy deserve to be remembered? Who decides where a memorial should stand, how it should look, and what story or stories it should tell? Who and what should guide decisions about what properties get preserved and what land can be redeveloped? How do we address conflicts that arise when some call for memorials to be removed or controversial figures to be remembered? In this interactive session, we will discuss a set of case studies drawn from the presenter's own practice and research and consider how we, as practitioners and researchers, can help those seeking healing and reunification through the creation of a memorial or landmark. We will dissect the many aspects of conflict that can arise and have arisen, as well as methods used to resolve those conflicts.