Prof. Dr. Marie-Theres Albert (1948-2026)
Prof. Dr. Marie Theres Albert (1948–2026) is the founder of the Institute Heritage Studies (IHS) and an influential figure in shaping Heritage Studies as an academic field, having a decisive and manifold contribution for more than two decades. Her work is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of heritage as a dynamic resource for human and sustainable development, an approach that forms the intellectual foundation and guides the work of the IHS.
At the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus Senftenberg, Marie Theres Albert laid the institutional groundwork for the emergence of Heritage Studies. In 1999, she co founded and became the first director of the Master’s Programme in World Heritage Studies, the first programme of its kind worldwide. Under her leadership, the programme pioneered an interdisciplinary model that integrated cultural and natural heritage, cultural theory, conservation, management, and UNESCO policy frameworks. It became a global reference point for heritage education and attracted students from all continents.
Building on this foundation, she established the UNESCO Chair in Heritage Studies in 2003. Through the Chair, she strengthened the interface between academic research and UNESCO’s normative instruments, contributing to international debates and capacity building. In 2010, she founded the PhD Programme in Heritage Studies, which provided a dedicated research environment for examining heritage in all its facets, and its transformation due to globalization processes.
A central contribution of Marie Theres Albert is her conceptualisation of heritage in relation to development. She articulated a holistic model in which heritage is seen relationally, as an active force shaping human life. It forms the core of the Institute Heritage Studies and it underpins its commitment to bridging policy, research, education, and practice.
An important intellectual achievement closely associated with her name is the Heritage Studies Series, which she initiated and edited. The series was conceived to bring theoretical approaches, missing philosophies, and future-oriented perspectives into heritage scholarship. It opened space for interdisciplinary dialogue and helped establish Heritage Studies as a field with its own conceptual depth and methodological diversity.
Beyond her institutional leadership, Marie Theres Albert has authored and edited numerous publications, contributed to UNESCO policy development, and supported heritage capacity building in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Her work continues to inspire scholars and practitioners who view heritage as a vital resource for equitable and sustainable futures.