Mariana Françozo appointed Professor of Museums, Collections and Society
As of 1 October, Mariana Françozo has been appointed Professor of Museums, Collections and Society at Leiden University's Faculty of Archaeology. Her chair focuses on the relationships between museums, collections and society, bringing together perspectives from archaeology, heritage studies, anthropology and museum practice.
Honour and opportunity
For Françozo, the appointment is both an honour and an opportunity to further strengthen a field that connects the Faculty of Archaeology to the wider university, the city of Leiden and an international network of scholars and museum professionals.
'Being a professor allows me to continue the research that I care deeply about,' she says. 'At the same time, it gives me the opportunity to educate students in thinking about archaeological and ethnological collections not simply as repositories of objects, but as historical constructions in their own right. In this way, collections become a means of connecting past and present: they can raise questions about histories of encounter and exchange, but also about how different communities relate to these objects today, whether we are working with Indigenous communities on the other side of the world or our own neighbours here in Leiden.'
Bringing people together
Françozo's research centres on the social lives of collections and the many ways people connect with objects from the past. 'People often ask what an object is worth,' she says. 'But I don't think value is always about money. People have meaningful relationships with artefacts from the past, and exploring those connections is extremely important.'
A key ambition for her professorship is to to build and expand networks of collaboration among researchers, museums, heritage institutions, and communities, both locally and internationally. Rather than building an entirely new research agenda, she aims to bring together expertise that is already present in Leiden.
'We have so much knowledge here,' she explains. 'At the university, in museums, in the Faculties of Humanities and Social and Behavioural Sciences, and at institutions such as the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Wereldmusuem, and the National Museum of Antiquities. I want to invest in an informal network that connects all these people and organisations. My task is not necessarily to create something new, but to help bring people together.'
Developing projects
This collaborative approach also aligns closely with wider developments within Leiden University's heritage community. Françozo sees many opportunities to work with colleagues across faculties and institutes, including within the university's Heritage Profile Area. 'Many of us are asking similar questions,' she says. 'That creates exciting opportunities to develop projects together and learn from each other's perspectives.'
Leiden as heritage hub
Looking ahead, Françozo hopes to further establish Leiden as an international hub for the study of collections, museums and society. 'I'd like to help make Leiden a place where people come specifically to study collections,' she says. 'We are already doing important work on topics such as provenance, repatriation, and the relationships between museums and communities. There is a strong foundation here, and we can build on that.'
An important part of that vision is welcoming scholars from around the world. 'We receive many messages from researchers who are interested in coming to Leiden. I would like to find more ways to support visits, whether for a week or a longer period. Bringing in people from different backgrounds and different parts of the world enriches the discussions and helps us see collections from completely new perspectives.'
Rethinking the role of professor
Françozo also reflects on what it means to become a professor at a time when universities are rethinking traditional academic hierarchies. 'Historically, a professorship often carried a strong sense of hierarchy,' she says. 'I think we are moving away from that, and that is a good development. A professor should be an important part of the academic community, but not stand above it.'
Drawing on her academic background in Brazil, she emphasises that a professorship is first and foremost a recognition of experience and achievement —and that this recognition comes with responsibility. 'You become a reference point for others, not because you are necessarily a better researcher or lecturer than your colleagues, but because you have more experience and seniority. You have a responsibility to support others, help shape the future of the university and remain in dialogue with the people around you.'
And what does she expect from this new chapter in her academic career? With a smile, Françozo replies: 'Well, when I asked my nearest colleagues what they expect from a professor, they said: cake. So yes, I'll continue doing my best to support colleagues and students, help bring people together, and bring cake sometimes too.'