HIDDEN COST Action CA21120 Final event
Art, Migration and the Politics of Belonging
In conjunction with the National Gallery of Ireland
- HIDDEN sessions
- 17 to 20 September 2026
Thursday to Sunday - Gallery public week
- 14 – 20 September 2026
Installations, screenings, tours and workshops - Venue
- National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square West, Dublin 2
The HIDDEN COST Action (CA21120) network will draw its networking activities to a close with their final event, to be held in conjunction with the National Gallery of Ireland. This was envisaged in the original grant proposal and the Memorandum of Understanding which has shaped the work of the network. HIDDEN’s work has throughout been a response to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.9, which strives for universal legal identity by 2030. A dedicated group of scholars have been critically examining the past, present, and future of identity documentation systems in Europe and beyond, over the past four years (2022-2026). The network, exploring their historical roots, current practices, and evolving trajectories that can increase societal inequalities, was created by Dr Jennifer Redmond, Associate Professor in the School of History and Ancient Classics at Maynooth University.
In today’s world, identity documentation is integral to nearly every facet of our lives. History of Identity Documentation in European Nations (HIDDEN) network brings together scholars from various fields, including history, migration studies, geography, sociology, law, linguistics, postcolonial studies, and human rights, to examine the evolution of identity regimes in Europe and beyond and draw powerful connections between historical practices and current challenges. Understanding our past enables us to navigate present complexities and seek future solutions.
As part of the project, HIDDEN will host its final event, ‘Art, Migration and the Politics of Belonging’ in conjunction with the National Gallery of Ireland (for the full programme see here:https://www.nationalgallery.ie/what-we-do/our-organisation/collections-research/education-department/art-migration-and-politics). This consists of a series of events aimed at all age groups which will take place from the 14 to 20 September 2026. Participants from across Europe are expected to gather for panel discussions, keynote speeches, presentations from working group leaders and participants and invited writers, artists and NGO partners to explore the concept of identity documentation and citizenship through the lens of art, migration and belonging. Responding to themes of citizenship, migration, identity, language and representation, the programme invites people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to engage with these urgent questions through artistic practice and shared experience. Featuring leading and emerging artists, writers, academics, educators and performers, it encompasses contemporary art installations, a major international symposium, film screenings, public tours, archival displays, professional development training, participatory events and inclusive sensory workshops. Dr Redmond will deliver a keynote, chair panels and introduce the film screening of Aisha with a Q and A afterwards with the film’s producer, Tristan Orpen Lynch and the film’s consultant Lucky Khambule.
Two writers and scholars, Evgeny Shtorn and Suad Aldarra, both members of the HIDDEN network, will speak about their work on 18th September. This will be the final gathering in person of the members of the HIDDEN network, but it will not be the end of the network.
As well as numerous scholarly publications, a podcast, a bibliography, an archive map and am art repository the network has created two Toolkits for conducting ethical research, The HIDDEN Toolkit for Historians navigating GDPR, ethical considerations and big data and The HIDDEN Toolkit: Tackling Ethical Concerns in Migration Research available via the Maynooth University MURAL repository and will produce an open access handbook, The Palgrave Handbook of Identity Documentation Throughout History featuring international scholars reflecting on the changes and challenges of identity documents globally.
For more information on the network see the official Action COST website, our own site and our social media accounts:
- Bluesky: @hiddencostaction.bsky.social
- X account @HIDDEN_CA21120
- Facebook: Hidden COST Action
- Instagram: hiddencostaction
- Website here.
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