Elena Perez Alvaro

Dr. Elena Perez-Alvaro is a globally recognized expert in underwater cultural heritage, specializing in the ethical, legal, and practical challenges of managing submerged cultural sites. As a Marie Curie Fellow—a prestigious grant funded by the European Commission—she conducts groundbreaking research on the ethical and sustainable management of underwater cultural heritage, focusing on several islands in the Pacific. She is the author of several influential works, including "Underwater Cultural Heritage: Ethical Concepts and Practical Challenges" (Routledge, 2019) and "The Hidden Hand of Underwater Cultural Heritage" (Brill, 2025). Her publications explore innovative, multidisciplinary approaches to the management of underwater heritage and the integration of ethical frameworks into global heritage policies.

Dr. Perez-Alvaro is an Expert Member of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee for the Underwater Cultural Heritage and the ICOMOS Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage. Previously, she served as an Associate Professor in the Master's program for Cultural and Natural Heritage Management at UNIR University in Spain and as a Research Associate at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. Her work continues to bridge the gaps between cultural identity, sustainability, and heritage preservation, advocating for equitable and inclusive heritage management practices worldwide.