EBA USK Digital Preservation Fieldwork 2025

The EBA Fieldwork Program is an on-site, immersive experience where participants apply the Evidence-Based Approach to real-world issues. The EBA Digital Preservation Banda Aceh Fieldwork 2025 builds on the preservation of cultural heritage, bringing the past into the future with the digital preservation of historical tombstones in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Over the course of the program, learners engage directly with urgent issues of conservation, such as: preservation challenges of physical artifacts, the threat of neglect, the need for increased awareness, sustainability and heritage protection.

Participants actively apply the EBA method in practice by learning through field-based data collection, analysis, visualization, and storytelling. In this fieldwork, they practice techniques such as 360° photography and video capture, drone imaging, 3D scanning, photography, and audio recording, while also drawing on local expertise and historical studies. Then, working in groups, collaborative investigation enables participants to propose evidence-based solutions to challenges of artifact preservation, environmental threats, and the need for broader public awareness.

By completing this program, learners gain the skills to integrate research, technology, and cultural understanding in the service of digital heritage preservation. The experience strengthens their technical and analytical abilities and deepens their capacity to apply an evidence-based approach to real-world challenges, preparing them to contribute meaningfully in designing an evidence-based resilient future society.

Study Requirement: 90 hours, including pre- and post-fieldwork activities

Topics Covered in This Course

Bringing the Past Into the Future – Digital Preservation of Aceh’s Historical Tombstones: Using technologies such as 360° capture, drone imaging, and 3D scanning, participants explored how digital documentation can safeguard Aceh’s unique royal tombstones against environmental and human threats, ensuring their cultural longevity.
Preservation Challenges of Physical Artifacts: Physical artifacts in the Asia-Pacific often require on-site preservation, making relocation and study difficult. Their undocumented state and need for local safeguarding create logistical barriers to long-term protection.
Threat of Neglect: Environmental damage and climate change pose serious risks to poorly maintained artifacts. With many in critical condition, proactive preservation is vital to prevent irreversible cultural loss.
Need for Awareness: Lack of public and academic attention threatens the heritage of underserved regions. Increasing visibility and accessibility of information is key to building support and collaboration.
Sustainability and Heritage Preservation: Digital preservation offers a sustainable solution for protecting and sharing cultural artifacts, enhancing access for research, education, and public engagement.
Locations Visited: Participants conduct fieldwork in Banda Aceh and engage with cultural heritage sites and local stakeholders, including Gunongan Complex, Lubuk Village, Museum Aceh, Tuanku Di Kandang Complex in Gampong Pande, and the Region I Culture Preservation Body.
Field Observations and Reflection: Participants document field evidence, discuss findings with peers and local stakeholders, and reflect on how digital technology can support long-term cultural heritage preservation.

Learning Outcomes

Apply the Evidence-Based Approach (EBA) to real-world field research challenges.
Collect, document, and analyze data using observation, interviews, and digital tools.
Interpret and visualize data to generate evidence-based insights.
Communicate findings through storytelling and visual communication.
Employ technologies such as 360° capture, drone imaging, 3D scanning, photography, and audio recording for cultural preservation.
Collaborate in diverse teams to propose solutions to cultural heritage and sustainability challenges.
Develop an awareness of the threats to physical artifacts and the importance of digital preservation for long-term safeguarding.
Integrate research, technology, and cultural understanding to design sustainable, evidence-based approaches to heritage protection.

Related Courses

Introduction to EBA course
- Introduction to EBA is an online program designed to equip participants with the essentials of field research and develop an evidence-based mindset. The course introduces key skills such as fostering a research mindset, handling and analyzing data, exploring findings through visualization and interpretation, and disseminating results effectively through storytelling and visual communication.

Prerequisite

Completion of the Introduction to EBA program is a prerequisite for joining the EBA Fieldwork program.

Criteria

This badge was awarded to the learners who completed the following criteria:

Participate in pre-workshop activities in preparation for the fieldwork.
Join the fieldwork and actively participate in all field activities.
Present outcomes of the fieldwork and further developments during the final public presentation.
Successfully complete the fieldwork’s final report.