Report from the Immersive Heritage 2026 Conference

Report from the Immersive Heritage 2026 Conference

From March 18–20, 2026, the Politehnica University of Timișoara hosted an international conference dedicated to the use of immersive technologies in cultural heritage preservation. The event, attended by Dr. Paweł Marciniak from PCSS’s Digital Libraries and Knowledge Platforms Department, served as a platform for exchanging experiences in implementing XR, VR, and gamification solutions in the culture and science sectors.

During the plenary sessions, the assumptions and preliminary results of the 3DBigDataSpace project were presented. Presentations emphasized the importance of creating open digital ecosystems that enable the integration of dispersed 3D data across Europe. Particular attention was given to the role of advanced digital documentation as a foundation for modern tourism and historical research.

A practical highlight of the conference participation was the demonstration of proprietary technological tools, including the in-house PCSS Viewer solution. This tool allowed attendees to interact directly with large-scale point clouds and complex 3D models. The demos proved that optimizing the management of massive datasets is key to ensuring their widespread accessibility for educators and researchers.

Conference panel discussions analyzed the evolution of contemporary museology toward interactive research spaces. They stressed the need to transform traditional institutions into engaging centers through modern narrative forms. Collaboration with international partners, such as IN2, helped outline shared development directions for the European cultural heritage data space.

Participation in the Timișoara event confirmed that Polish technological solutions align with leading trends in digital humanities. The trip facilitated the establishment of strategic relationships with experts from around the world, which is crucial for developing enduring standards in digital archiving.