Making Inclusion a Reality: An Interview with Todd Weir from the University of Groningen

In this partner interview, we speak with Todd Weir, director of the MIRETAGE project and representative of the Centre for Religion and Heritage at the University of Groningen, in the Netherlands. He reflects on the importance of turning inclusion and diversity into concrete action through meaningful collaboration. Todd also shares the background of MIRETAGE, his work on religious heritage and his experience working with partners across Europe to promote more inclusive approaches to heritage.

1. What is your name and the organisation you represent?

My name is Todd Weir, and I represent the Centre for Religion and Heritage at the University of Groningen, in the Netherlands.

2. Where is your organisation based, and what does it do?

The Centre for Religion and Heritage is based at the University of Groningen in the

Netherlands. It brings together researchers working on religion, history, culture and heritage,exploring how religious traditions, communities and practices shape societies and how religious heritage is understood, preserved and represented.

3. What has been your main role in the MIRETAGE project?

I am the director of MIRETAGE, which means maintaining an overview of the project andkeeping track of its various activities and workstreams. An important part of my role isensuring that our partners feel supported and that we function well as a collaborativecommunity. I also work closely with Martin Andrade Perez, who plays a central role in organising and coordinating the collaboration between partners.

4. Are you involved, or have you been involved, in any other projects or initiatives related to minority religious heritage?

My interest and involvement in minority religious heritage began in 2017, when I becamedirector of the Centre for Religion and Heritage at the University of Groningen. At that time, I started collaborating with scholars, particularly in the United Kingdom, who were researching Jewish and Muslim heritage. This work led to the publication of the Bloomsbury Handbook of Religion and Heritage in Contemporary Europe in 2019, which I co-edited with Lieke Wijnia. The handbook includes several sections dedicated to Jewish, Muslim and interreligious heritage. Building on this experience, my colleagues Andrew Irving and Mathilde van Dijk and I became involved in a project with La Xixa in Barcelona and the Storytelling Centre in Amsterdam, exploring the use of cultural heritage in adult education. This collaboration eventually contributed to our decision to launch MIRETAGE.

5. Why is a project like MIRETAGE important in the current European

context?

What can it contribute to society? There is a great deal of discussion in political and academic circles about inclusion and diversity. However, when these concepts are repeated too often, they can begin to sound like empty slogans. What we need is concrete action and meaningful collaboration. One of the things I have appreciated most about MIRETAGE is seeing how collaboration works in practice, bringing people and organisations together to turn these ideals into something tangible.

6. What has been the most exciting or rewarding part of the project for you?

I particularly enjoy the opportunity to work with such wonderful partners across Europe and the Netherlands. Every interaction feels like a living expression of the ideals we promote through the project. For this reason, some of my most rewarding experiences have been our partner meetings in Groningen, Leuven and

Barcelona. These gatherings have provided valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships and experience the collaborative spirit of

MIRETAGE firsthand. I am also very much looking forward to our upcoming Conference in Utrecht.