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University Museums and the Community Conference

Programme

Conference Brochure : click here

The theme of ICOM’s International Committee on University Museums and Collections (UMAC) 8th International Conference focuses on one of the most pressing issues today for university museums across the globe, which is how they can best act as bridges between the world of the university and the many and varied communities, both within and outside the university.

 

Tuesday 16 September

4pm onwards: Registration at the Whitworth Art Gallery

6.30pm: Drinks reception

 

Wednesday 17 September

Morning:

Keynote: Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell (Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, the University of Manchester)

The Increasing Importance of Public Engagement in the Higher Education Sector

Panel discussion:

University Museums as ‘Beacons for Public Engagement’

Afternoon:

Keynote: Professor Michael Shanks, Standford University

Animating the archive: mixed reality museological futures

Panel discussion:

University Museums and the Internet Community

Late afternoon

Choice of two site-based tours and discussions on involving communities as part of university museum practice

1. Multiple voices in the University Museum (Manchester Museum)
2. University art gallery practice in engaging communities (Whitworth Art Gallery)

Evening:

Reception at the Manchester Museum

 

Thursday 18 September

Morning:

Keynote: Dr Michael John Gorman (Director, Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin)

University museum and gallery approaches to science engagement

Choice of:

  • Roundtable workshop discussions on the role of university museums and collections in formal and informal learning
  • Visit to Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections for workshop on research, exhibition and the public imagination

Afternoon:

Visits to museums in Manchester: Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester City Art Gallery, Lowry Gallery, Imperial War Museum North, People’s History Museum

Evening:

Conference dinner at local Chinese restaurant

 

Friday 19 September

Morning:

Keynote: Professor Amareswar Galla (University of Queensland)

The University Museum as a Site for Intercultural Dialogue and Sustainable Development

Concurrent workshops followed by plenary report-backs:

  • University Museums and their relationship to the city
  • University Museums and hard-to-reach audiences
  • Strategic Realignment to reach specific communities

Afternoon:

Keynote: Jane Pickering (Peabody Museum, Yale University)

Ivory Tower or Welcoming Neighbour? Engaging Our Local Communities

Panel discussion:

The internal audience as leisure users

Plenary and closing remarks

 

Saturday 20 September

Optional trip to museums and galleries in Liverpool (European City of Culture 2008)