The Intellectual Property Issues in Cultural Heritage project, or "IPinCH"as it is commonly known, is led by SFU archaeology professor George Nicholas. Established in 2008 with a seven-year SSHRC grant, this international collective represents nine Canadian and 19 international universities as well as 11 other organizations.
IPinCH takes a uniquely holistic, multidisciplinary, and community-based approach to intellectual property issues and their implications for theory, policy, and practice. Counting anthropologists, archaeologists, lawyers, ethicists, heritage and museum specialists from around the world among its more than 50 members, the IPinCH team brings an unprecedented breadth and depth of expertise to the investigation of ethical heritage research.
Including Dr. Nicholas, the co-investigators have decades of experience working with Indigenous communities, heritage managers, policymakers, and governments. They have developed mutually respectful relationships with Indigenous communities and other groups worldwide, which have deepened into over 25 active partnerships that further enrich the IPinCH collective.
This collegial approach has enhanced inter-cultural communication between Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners, and is reflected in IPinCH's many contributions towards improving research approaches and outcomes for community-based work.
IPinCH is setting the standard for ethical research on cultural heritage and intellectual property.
