The term ‘canon’ has its roots in ancient Greek and Latin and originally meant ‘cane/measuring rod’ or, more generally, ‘rule, norm, guideline’. Rules, norms and guidelines are just as important in science and scholarship as definitions of terms, gold standards of processes or best practice guidelines. Norms and guidelines ensure research quality and guarantee the traceability of knowledge processes. At the same time, however, they should be regularly evaluated and critically discussed in order to keep ‘in touch with the times’. Social groups – and scientific disciplines should also be viewed as such – tend to intensify the formation of canons, especially in phases of self-discovery and when faced with the threat of destabilisation, in order to consolidate themselves from within.

Today, the educational canon of the upper middle class of the late 19th and early 20th centuries is often cited as a negative example of a rigid musical and literary canon, with its strict categorisation of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ works, high art and popular culture. Although this impermeable educational canon runs counter to today’s concepts of a democratic, open and diverse society, it is celebrating a revival in terms such as ‘Leitkultur’ (dominant culture) and ‘cultural heritage’.

How much canon does science need? And in a democratic, open society, who determines what becomes part of the canon? Can or should there be only one canon, or can several canons coexist? How are canon and cultural heritage related? To what extent does research at the ACDH follow the canon or question it? Does canon formation only exist in music, literature, and the visual arts – or also in computer language and technology in general?

With these questions in mind, the ACDH Research Day on the topic of canon and cultural heritage aims to highlight positions and perspectives at the ACDH and bring the various research areas into dialogue with one another. Particular emphasis will be placed on exchange, with a focus on formats that promote discussion, such as panels with lightning talks or poster presentations, etc.