Centre for the Anthropology of World Cultures

In a world of rapid technological and AI advancement, it is more critical than ever to preserve and communicate cultural heritage. The Centre for the Anthropology of World Cultures (CAWC) explores how human cultures evolve, express and connect across time and space. CAWC bridges anthropology, archaeology, art, and communication studies to study cultures as a living dialogue through objects, rituals, and stories that carry meaning and identity across generations. It promotes the study of tangible and intangible cultural heritage as forms of communication that shape how societies share values, beliefs, and collective memory.

CAWC is a research axis within SAFIR’s Centre for Global Societies, Cultures, Cities and Arts, and an interdisciplinary hub that unites students, faculty, researchers, and professionals. The centre supports the UAE’s strategic cultural goals by aligning with the UAE Culture Agenda 2031 and the UAE National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries which emphasise preserving national identity, heritage, and creative industries to build a sustainable creative economy and nurture talent. CAWC is launched in partnership with CELSA, the Graduate School of Communication of Sorbonne University, with renown professors and researchers at GRIPIC,(the Interdisciplinary Research Group on Information and Communication Processes, including Professor Sophie Corbillé, Professor Karine Berthelot-Guiet and Dr. Hécate Vergopoulos, Senior Lecturer.

CAWC houses a growing collection of cultural objects from the Arabian Peninsula, Central Asia, and beyond. Textiles, garments, tools, musical instruments, and ritual items reveal the flows of craftsmanship, exchange, and adaptation that define human creativity. These materials are preserved and documented through the digital WebMuseo system, offering accessible resources for research and teaching.

The Centre offers hands-on access to select artefacts, guided by anthropologists, curators, communicators and artisans, allowing the students to explore material and immaterial culture and heritage. It is equipped with conservation facilities and the Archeo-Lab laboratory, enabling research using tools such as microscopes, spectrometers, and 3D modelling. This environment supports both preservation and rediscovery of techniques that bridge past knowledge and contemporary design.

The Center for the Anthropology of World Cultures invites reflection on the interconnectedness of people and traditions. It keeps alive the stories, values, and movements that define humanity by studying culture as communication, reminding us that while technology advances, cultural meaning remains the foundation of connection and understanding.

For more information about the center, please contact Dr. Christophe Moulherat and Dr. Ivana Beveridge.