Cultural Expertise in Europe: What is it useful for?

Project Information

EURO-EXPERT

Grant agreement ID: 681814

DOI

10.3030/681814

Project closed

EC signature date 20 September 2016

Start date 1 October 2016

End date 31 March 2023

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 1 562 495,13

EU contribution

€ 1 562 495,13

Coordinated by

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
France

Periodic Reporting for period 5 - EURO-EXPERT (Cultural Expertise in Europe: What is it useful for?)

Reporting period: 2022-02-01 to 2023-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

EURO-EXPERT focused on cultural expertise in Europe to ensure fair and inclusive justice in diverse societies.
EURO-EXPERT's achieved the following objectives:
Mapping the Terms and Conditions of Cultural Expertise across the sixteen European countries to identify existing challenges.
Creating a Toolkit for Measuring the Prospective Impact of Cultural Expertise which provides a structured framework for assessing the effectiveness and outcomes of cultural expertise.
Establishing an Open Access Searchable Database that allows legal professionals, scholars, and researchers to access and consult cases and solutions involving cultural expertise.
Designing a Teaching and Learning Module that provides educational materials and resources to enhance the understanding and application of cultural expertise among legal practitioners and experts.
Formulating Policy-Making Guidelines based on its findings and tested solutions for sustainable inclusiveness in Europe. These guidelines offer evidence-based recommendations and practical strategies to policymakers, promoting cultural expertise and inclusivity within legal frameworks. Ultimately, they foster social cohesion and respect for cultural diversity.
Through these achievements, EURO-EXPERT formulated and tested a groundbreaking theoretical framework and innovative instruments for improved decision-making processes in courts and out-of-court litigation.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

EURO-EXPERT aimed to establish a theoretical and ethical framework for cultural expertise (CE) in dispute resolution and rights determination. Starting from Holden's 2011 CE definition, EURO-EXPERT examined the use and impact of CE extensively in sixteen European countries. The project successfully achieved its objectives, mapping the terms, conditions, and costs of CE in private and public law, creating an accessible toolkit to measure its impact, and establishing an Open Access searchable database, innovative teaching modules, and policy-making guidelines for the adoption of CE contributing to sustainable inclusiveness in Europe. EURO-EXPERT redefined CE to emphasize independence and accountability, employing a comprehensive research methodology that combined socio-legal approaches with a critical cultural perspective. Collaboration with legal professionals and beneficiaries informed the development of the outputs. Data collection involved questionnaires, case-law, localising CE sites, expert reports, and qualitative interviews, prioritising ethical considerations. Film and multimedia enriched data collection and dissemination. EURO-EXPERT validated the expanded the CE definition, developed technological prototypes (CULTEXP database and K-EXP add-on application), and fostered a European network of interdisciplinary experts. EURO-EXPERT published more than 56 publications in Open Access and created two prototypes CULTEXP and K-EXP that are likely to be commercialised with the promise of a high social impact. EURO-EXPERT generated immediate demands for practical implementation and facilitated professional development for researchers and consultants.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The EURO-EXPERT project created the field of cultural expertise (CE) by bringing together experts from different disciplines and putting a strong focus on the experiences of those who benefit from CE. The project developed a solid framework for CE by fostering the dialogue between social scientists and the legal professions. One of the key achievements of EURO-EXPERT was the development of a unique research approach that blended conventional legal approaches with a critical cultural perspective. This approach allowed for a thorough analysis of how CE is used and its impact, working closely with legal professionals and the people who rely and benefit from cultural expertise.

EURO-EXPERT collected a wide range of data using various methods, including surveys, case-law analysis, interviews, and expert reports. This comprehensive approach strengthened the project's findings and provided unprecedented insights into the role of CE in promoting inclusive justice.

A major breakthrough of EURO-EXPERT was the creation of the CULTEXP database, an innovative digital platform that transformed the accessibility and application of CE. The database stores judgments and expert reports, making it easier for decision-makers to access expert reports. To further enhance its functionality, EURO-EXPERT developed the K-EXP add-on application, which provided expertise, training, and evaluation of the prospective impact of cultural expertise.

CULTEXP utilised state-of-the-art technology, including an Open Access software framework, to generate metadata for the efficient management of legal documents. The integration of the K-EXP application and Open Access tools expanded the capabilities of the platform, enabling users to find suitable experts, assess the impact of expertise, and participate in CE training. CULTEXP not only meets the specific needs of legal professionals but also has commercial potential while making a significant social and economic impact.

CULTEXP has become a trusted and recognized platform in the market, serving as a quality label for CE. Collaboration with esteemed institutions has further validated its credibility and potential. These partnerships have facilitated training programs, expert advice, and the establishment of certification programs for cultural experts.

Through EURO-EXPERT and the development of CULTEXP, the project has paved the way in this emerging field, setting new standards and demonstrating the importance of cultural expertise in the justice system.

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