The PhD position is part of the ERC Starting Grant project “MOOVA - Making Old Objects Valuable Again. The Cultural, Economic Challenges and Sustainability Opportunities of Antiques in the 21st Century,” led by Prof. Anne-Sophie V. Radermecker.

Regardless of their cultural significance, many “ordinary” antiques remain on the margins of cultural institutions and scholarly research. As a result, the question of how everyday antiques are safeguarded, valued, marketed, perceived, and consumed remains largely underexplored, placing material evidence of our visual culture in a critical situation, especially in view of the technological transition faced by this ageing business. Using old objects as a laboratory for transdisciplinary research, MOOVA aims to 1) highlight the complex cultural value of ordinary antiques and the patrimonial role of local antique dealers as safeguarders of informal heritage; 2) explore the supply and demand for antiques in the digital era; 3) understand the perceived value of antiques by Gen Z; and 4) develop theoretical and applied models for reassessing the meaning, relevance, and value of those objects nowadays. MOOVA’s originality lies in its focus (European decorative arts), transversal approach (cross-objects, markets, countries), and combination of theories, data, and methods from various disciplines (heritage studies, cultural economics, cognitive science, etc.). MOOVA's academic outputs will deal with vital issues such as the preservation of local heritage, audience renewal, and local place branding.

The successful candidate will conduct a four-year PhD thesis (2x2 year renewable after a mid-term assessment) in Cultural Management at the Université libre de Bruxelles (within the Department of History, Arts and Archaeology). She/he will be supervised by the PI and a thesis committee, and will enroll in a doctoral school throughout the four years (HISTAR – EDT56). The candidate will be attached to the research unit GRESAC (Groupe de recherche en sciences des arts et de la culture – Institut de Sociologie). The defense is expected to take place in 2027 at the latest.

Duties and responsibilities

The successful candidate will complete an original doctoral dissertation on the role of antique dealers as safeguarders of informal heritage. In close collaboration with the PI and the MOOVA team, the candidate will mainly work on the following tasks:

• Contribute to developing a theoretical framework on the notion of informal heritage;
• Contribute to mapping the traditional antiques business in Europe;
• Explore the cultural value of the five main categories of antiques considered in the scope of this project;
• Perform field research and interviews with practitioners (Belgium, Italy, Great-Britain, Netherlands and France) and develop a network;
• Identify and analyze antique dealers’ local, national and international networks of stakeholders;
• Actively participate in scientific events in cultural management, cultural economics, heritage studies, etc.;
• Publish several papers in direct relation to his/her doctoral research (single- and co-authored papers);
• Actively assist the team with administrative and logistical support (team meetings, reporting, workshop and conference organization, occasional course participation, website and social media management, etc.).

Candidate’s profile

We seek an excellent and highly motivated candidate with a master’s degree in the following discipline by the time of the appointment: arts and culture management, cultural economics, sociology of the arts, heritage studies, or digital humanities (with Honours/Magna cum Laude). Broader profiles in relation to these disciplines may be considered, conditional on a demonstrable interest in the arts and culture. The candidate’s intellectual curiosity, openness to transdisciplinarity, willingness to learn new methodologies (both qualitative and quantitative), and ability to collaborate with a team composed of researchers of various backgrounds, profiles, and career stages will be crucial for the successful achievement of this project. Excellent communication, organizational skills, and autonomy are also essential.

Note that applicants are allowed to apply for the two complementary PhD candidate positions offered in the scope of this international project.