Aparna Tandon

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT APARNA TANDON

As Senior Programme Leader at ICCROM, I lead its flagship capacity development programme on First Aid and Resilience for Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis, advancing global strategies for disaster risk reduction, climate action, and peacebuilding through heritage. I also coordinate to ICCROM’s Sustaining Digital Heritage initiative, aimed at long-term preservation and the creative use of digital heritage to support cultural and creative industries. With over two decades of experience, I design and implement impactful, interdisciplinary initiatives that link heritage protection with humanitarian response and sustainable development. I have successfully mobilized resources and led multi-partner projects across Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. Among my key innovations is Net Zero: Heritage for Climate Action, a groundbreaking initiative demonstrating how heritage-based risk management can support just climate transitions funded by the Swedish Postcode Foundation. I have also led the development of strategic programmes such as SOIMA (Sound and Image Collections Conservation), Sustaining Digital Heritage, and ICCROM’s Climate. Cultue. Peace initiative Read more: I began my career as a materials conservator, and now lead cascading capacity development projects that combine research, field implementation, and training of trainers. My work focuses on leveraging heritage for the well-being of communities in risk-prone areas. I have led post-event assessments, emergency responses, and crisis training in Ukraine (2022), Belgium (2021), India (2020), Lebanon (2020), Northern Iraq (2017), Myanmar (2016), Nepal (2015, 2016), Philippines (2013), and Haiti (2010). I also conduct field schools and training in conflict-affected regions, supporting local professionals and institutions. My responsibilities include programme design, partnership development, fundraising, and advancing policy through applied knowledge in areas such as heritage and climate action, peacebuilding, and humanitarian aid. I hold an MA in Art Conservation from the National Museum Institute, India, and have received advanced training at the Straus Center for Conservation, Harvard Art Museums. I was a Fulbright Arts Fellow at the Library of Congress and a Conservation Guest Scholar at the Getty Conservation Institute. From 1998 to 2004, I served as Curator-Conservator at the Amar Mahal Museum and Library in Jammu & Kashmir, India.