This article was written by ICOM UK’s Student and Emerging Professionals Working Group
Embracing Transformation – Healing With Museums
Conference Date: 9th April 2025
Location: Online Via MS Teams
Submission Deadline: 30th January 2025
In the face of unprecedented global crises, the role of museums has undergone a profound transformation. No longer confined to their traditional functions of preserving and exhibiting heritage, museums have emerged as spaces of healing that foster resilience, empathy, and education. In line with the 2025 ICOM UK Annual Conference “Regenerative Museums for Sustainable Futures”, this S&EP Conference, “Embracing Transformation: Healing With Museums”, invites students and emerging professionals to explore and contribute to this pivotal conversation, to explore how museums can become agents of transformation in an interconnected and rapidly changing world.
Theme:
The theme of this conference seeks to unpack the innovative and collaborative approaches museums are taking to address healing with their collections, institutional structures, and communities. We invite proposals that critically engage with the following sub-themes:
- Healing Through Art and Culture
This will examine the role of museums in promoting well-being and mental health. Such as case studies that highlight collaborations between cultural institutions and healthcare providers, as well as exhibitions and programs designed to support personal and collective healing.
- Education for Empathy and Understanding
Museums hold great potential to foster empathy and social inclusivity. We invite contributions that explore innovative educational programs designed to address social justice, historical trauma, and intergenerational dialogue. - Community Engagement and Co-Creation
This section focuses on participatory and community-driven museum practices that empower marginalized voices and enhance social cohesion. - Digital Innovation and Accessibility
As museums increasingly turn to digital platforms, this section will examine the potential of technology to support museums’ healing and education missions. How can museums leverage digital tools to make their spaces and content more accessible, inclusive, and collaborative? - Sustainability, Regeneration and Resilience
Building on ICOM UK’s focus on regenerative development, this stream examines how museums worldwide are responding to climate change and environmental challenges through sustainable practices, educational initiatives, and the revitalization of cultural and natural systems
Submission Guidelines:
We invite proposals from students and young professionals in the museum, cultural, and heritage sectors worldwide. Submissions may take the form of academic papers or workshop proposals. Proposals should include:
- A title and abstract (250–300 words)
- Author(s) name(s), affiliation(s), and a brief bio
- Format (paper, or workshop)
- Contact information
The submitted papers will be reviewed by considering the following factors:
- Relevance of the content: Is the paper appropriate to the conference theme?
- Originality: Does the paper include primary materials that help to develop original arguments, contributing to the conference with new perspectives?
- Clarity: Is it clear what the paper will be addressing, are the main points cohesive and well-explained?
The conference organiser will inform the decision one month after the deadline of the Call for Papers.
Please submit the proposals to ICOM UK S&EP Working Group at snepconference@gmail.com Before the 30th January 2025.
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