The Digital Syria initiative
About us
The Digital Syria initiative is dedicated to the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Syria and the Syrian people. Launched in 2019, Digital Syria combines online resources with international events, publications, and educational programming.
Mr. Roger Michel
Mr Roger Michel is the founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Digital Archaeology, an organisation established in 2012 to promote the fusion of new digital technologies with traditional archaeological techniques. Mr Michel is strongly involved in international advocacy surrounding the protection of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Dr. Alexy Karenowska
Dr Alexy Karenowska is a magnetician with a research group based in the University of Oxford, UK’s Department of Physics, a Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, and Director of Technology at the Institute for Digital Archaeology. A trained engineer as well as a physicist, Dr Karenowska has as particular interest in the development of new scientific approaches to the protection, preservation, and celebration of cultural heritage. She is also believes very strongly in promoting discussion and debate about the importance of cultural protection at the level of the individual, the society, and the international community as a whole.
Mrs. Rasha Hakki
Mrs. Rasha Hakki is a Syrian archaeologist. After the outbreak of the Syrian crisis, she worked with the Syrian DGAM to document the illegal trafficking of stolen Syrian artifacts. Mrs. Hakki coordinated a Local Community Development Team to support Syrian local communities engaging with their shared past. She developed workshops for refugees and, especially, children to stimulate them in protecting cultural heritage, in cooperation with the Institute for Digital Archaeology. After she arrived in the Netherlands, she began to rebuild her heritage network through Dutch and European cultural organizations. She became active in helping Syrian refugees integrate into their new communities and she participates in initiatives to protect Syrian cultural heritage.
Mr. Khaled Hiatlih
Mr. Khaled Hiatlih is an Archaeologist running many archaeological projects in Syria in collaborating with the Institute for Digital Archaeology. Since the crisis started Mr. Hiatlih has been tracking the illicit trafficking of Syrian archaeological artifacts and documenting the damage to Syrian heritage. His main interest is using the new technologies in the archaeological field and discovering the potential solutions to improve the efforts in excavation and restoration. Mr. Hiatlih participates in cultural initiatives to raise public awareness and protect endangered Syrian heritage as a part of global human heritage.
