Dr. Annatina Aerne
Dr. Annatina Aerne was a finalist for the 2019 ENCATC Research Award on Cultural Policy and Cultural Management for her PhD thesis, “The Creation of a Public Sphere through a Network of Art Publics in Bogotá,” obtained from the University of St.Gallen in Switzerland.
Annatina Aerne is an Assistant Professor at the University of Lausanne, where her research focuses on organisational sociology and social inequality. She holds degrees in International Affairs and Governance from the University of St.Gallen and Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University, and completed her PhD in 2019.
Her doctoral research examined cooperation among art organisations in Bogotá and the role of art organisations in creating public spheres. Her subsequent research has expanded to include art markets, labour markets, education and the social organisation of cooperation.
Aerne has held research positions and visiting appointments at institutions including the European University Institute and Utrecht University. She was also a post-doctoral researcher at the University of St.Gallen and has taught sociology of contemporary arts, labour markets and organisations.
Dr. Karla Nunes Penna
Dr. Karla Nunes Penna was a finalist for the 2019 ENCATC Research Award on Cultural Policy and Cultural Management for her PhD thesis, “A critical autoethnographic study of context-related influences on cultural heritage preservation education of World Heritage sites in Northeastern Brazil”, obtained from Murdoch University in Australia.
Dr. Karla Nunes Penna is an architect, cultural heritage manager, educator and researcher specialising in heritage conservation, education and sustainable development. She has worked with the Centre for Advanced Studies in Integrated Conservation (CECI) in Brazil since 2008 and has collaborated with UNESCO World Heritage sites and heritage professionals across Latin America.
Her research focuses on cultural heritage preservation education, transformative learning, intercultural communication and the relationship between heritage and local contexts. Her doctoral research developed an autoethnographic and transformative approach to heritage education in Northeastern Brazil. Based in Australia, Penna continues to combine teaching, research and professional practice. She has contributed to international work on cultural heritage management and currently researches culturally sensitive practices and intercultural competence for the protection of Indigenous peoples' cultures.
Her work invokes learning innovation, embedded in humanizing pedagogical approaches such as critical pedagogy, education for sustainability and transformative education. Karla has collaborated with sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage in Latin America, supporting local teams and universities in designing and implementing cultural heritage and education. She also delivers seminars and workshops to local managers, leaders and community representatives through capacity building programs.
Dr. Minna Ruusuvirta
Dr. Minna Ruusuvirta was a finalist for the 2019 ENCATC Research Award for her PhD thesis: “Does sector matter? Plural characteristics and logics in third sector festival organisations” obtained from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland.
Dr. Minna Ruusuvirta works as a Senior Researcher at the Centre for Cultural Policy Research (CUPORE) in Finland. She holds Master's degrees in Social Sciences and Economics and completed her doctoral research in 2019. She has served as a member of expert working groups on Reform of the Municipal Cultural Activities Act, and on Cultural TEA, a collaborative project led by Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland focusing on data gathering on cultural activities promoting the well-being and health in municipalities.
Her doctoral research examined third-sector festival organisations, particularly the hybridisation and marketisation of organisations operating between different sectors. Her subsequent work has expanded towards cultural policy structures, local and regional cultural activities, cultural participation and the financing of arts and culture.
Ruusuvirta has also held important roles in the Finnish cultural policy research community, including Chair of the Society for Cultural Policy Research in Finland and Editor-in-Chief of its Cultural Policy Research Yearbook.
