Bridging past and future: Inaugural Cultural Heritage Imaging & Innovation Conference in Dubrovnik

In the heart of Dubrovnik, a city where history and innovation collide, a groundbreaking event unfolded from March 25-28, 2025. The Cultural Heritage Imaging & Innovation (CHII) Conference, co-organized by Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and RIT Croatia, brought together a dynamic mix of scholars, technologists, and cultural heritage professionals from around the world. This first-of-its-kind conference sparked insightful discussions on how emerging technologies can transform the way we preserve, study, and share cultural heritage.

A vision realized: The origin of CHII

The CHII Conference was years in the making. Dr. Irena Guszak, President and Dean of RIT Croatia, emphasized that CHII emerged as a strategic step toward broader goals in historical artifact imaging.

“After our initial collaborations in 2018 and 2019, and once MISHA (Multispectral Imaging System for Historical Artifacts) was set up at the Dubrovnik State Archives in 2023, we started exploring how we could expand the use of this technology,” Dr. Guszak explained. “We had big ideas—including a potential center of excellence for historical artifact multispectral imaging—but those are still in development. The conference was a way to gauge interest among scholars and professionals, to see if Dubrovnik could become a hub for this kind of work. Based on the response, it’s clear that there’s strong potential.”

Dr. David Messinger, a Professor at RIT’s Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, echoed the significance of CHII as a milestone in RIT’s broader mission.

“At RIT, our work in cultural heritage imaging extends across disciplines—our faculty, students, and research teams work on imaging systems, data analysis, 3D scanning, augmented reality applications, and more,” Dr. Messinger explained. “CHII was a natural next step, allowing us to bring together scholars, practitioners, and technologists to create a broader conversation. Our goal isn’t just to develop technology—it’s to ensure that it is being used effectively to reveal, preserve, and share history in ways that matter to museums, archives, libraries, and the communities they serve.”

The perfect setting: Dubrovnik as a living case study

Few places in the world embody cultural heritage as vividly as Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a history stretching back centuries. But the city was more than just a picturesque backdrop—it became a central part of the conversation.

“Hosting this conference in Dubrovnik fits a number of sayings: walk the talk, learning by doing,” Dr. Guszak reflected. “Exploring cultural heritage imaging and preservation in a place that is itself a living, breathing example of cultural heritage makes the experience much more meaningful. Dubrovnik’s institutions hold a wealth of historical artifacts, and combining that with RIT’s technological expertise made perfect sense.”

Attendees gathered at the Visia Theatre Dubrovnik, the Dubrovnik State Archives in Sponza Palace, and RIT Croatia’s campus, where they experienced firsthand the challenges and opportunities of preserving such a historically rich environment.

“From what I gathered through conversations with attendees, people were truly struck by the city,” said Dr. Francis Brassard, Senior Lecturer at RIT Croatia and one of the CHII organizing committee members who was also involved in the introduction of MISHA to the Dubrovnik State Archives. “There was an overwhelming sense of admiration for Sponza Palace in particular. When we talk about applying advanced imaging techniques to historical sites and artifacts, places like Dubrovnik are perfect examples of why this work matters.”

A diverse and dynamic gathering

What set CHII apart was its interdisciplinary nature. Attendees included historians, scientists, museum professionals, archivists, students, and technologists from North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Their expertise spanned everything from digital photography and augmented reality to architectural preservation and video game design.

“This conference wasn’t just about one type of technology or one specific field—it was about the ways all these disciplines intersect,” said Dr. Juilee Decker, Director of RIT’s Museum Studies Program. “We had people working on medieval manuscripts, pottery, historic buildings, large statues, old photographs—the diversity of projects was incredible. Some attendees were focused on multispectral imaging, while others were working with virtual and augmented reality applications, game technology, and interactive design. The beauty of CHII is that it brought all of these different perspectives into the same space.”

The minds behind the mission

The success of CHII was made possible by a passionate and dedicated organizing committee. In addition to Dr. Francis Brassard, Dr. Juilee Decker, Dr. Irena Guszak and Dr. David Messinger, the team also included:

• Roger Easton Jr. – Professor at RIT’s Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science and a leading expert in imaging research.
• Izzy Moyer – RIT alumna and current Fulbright Scholar in Dubrovnik, whose expertise in Museum Studies played a key role in the event’s organization.

Their combined efforts ensured a seamless, engaging, and impactful experience for all attendees.

The road ahead: Building on CHII’s success

While CHII 2025 was a milestone event, it’s only the beginning. Dr. Guszak highlighted promising future collaborations, particularly around MISHA’s regional expansion.

“This conference allowed us to connect with new colleagues and institutions that are interested in working with MISHA,” she explained. “At least a few institutions in the region are exploring the possibility of acquiring MISHA, or setting up a mobile MISHA unit for broader accessibility.”

Dr. Messinger emphasized that CHII is meant to grow. “This inaugural conference is just the beginning. We plan to host future CHII conferences and continue bringing together researchers from different disciplines to push the boundaries of cultural heritage preservation.”

Looking ahead, CHII has already announced its next edition in Rochester in 2026, with discussions underway about hosting the 2027 CHII conference in Zagreb, aligning with RIT Croatia’s 30th anniversary celebrations.