ICOM UK 2024 Conference Update – more speakers announced

We live in an age of division and discord, with many communities riven by political differences, social inequalities and, in some cases, conflict and its legacy.

This conference will explore the role of museums as important shared spaces, where differences can be ethically discussed and represented, and areas of commonality identified and valued.

Hear from museum professionals from the island of Ireland, the UK and the global museum community, in a city that has been damaged by division but through the ongoing social peace process is embracing the opportunities of the present and looking to a more positive future.

Scroll down to see the conference programme.

Individual conference tickets for ICOM members, NMDC members, NMNI staff and IMA members are £70. The early bird ticket for non-members is £75 and is available until 14 February 2024. Individual student tickets are £40.

Return travel by flight or ferry from England, Wales and Scotland is currently available from £30. We recommend booking travel and accommodation in advance to get the best value for money.

Programme:

Thursday 11 April 2024

Afternoon – organised tour options (details to follow)

Evening – Informal meet-up at the Post House, 32 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5BQ (delegates to pay for own food and drink)

Friday 12 April

09:00 – 10:00 Early morning city or museum tour

10:00 – 10:40 Arrivals, refreshments (provided), informal networking

10:40 – 11:00 Keynote – Maeve McLaughlin, Manager of Bloody Sunday Trust and Director of Derry Model Project, Bloody Sunday Trust, Derry

11:00 – 12:00 Session 1 – Old Wounds: After Conflict

Chantal Umuhoza, Curator, Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR)

Gerry McConville, Director, Falls Community Council, Belfast

David McGivern, Director,Roddy McCorley’s Republican Heritage Centre, Belfast

Further speakers TBC

12:00 – 13:00 Lunch (provided) and informal networking

13:00 – 14:00 Session 2 – Borders and Boundaries

Liam Bradley, Curator, Monaghan County Museum

Julie Andrews, Director, Linen Hall Library, Belfast

Brenda Malone, Curator, National Museum of Ireland

International speaker TBC

14:00 – 14:10 Comfort break

14:10 – 14:30 Keynote Nusrat Ahmed, Lead Curator (South Asia Gallery), Manchester Museum

14:30 – 15:00 Break and refreshments (provided)

15:00 – 16:00 Session 3 – A United Kingdom?

Dr John Giblin, Keeper, Department of Global Arts, Cultures and Design, National Museums Scotland

Nia Williams, Director of Learning and Public Programmes, National Museums Wales

Dr William Mitchell, Project co-ordinator, Action for Community Transformative (ACT) Initiative , Belfast

Further speakers TBC

16:00 – 16:15 Wrap up and close

16:15 – 17:00 Optional Ulster Museum tour

Saturday 13 April 2023

All day – we will provide a What’s On guide for self-guided visits

The ICOM UK 2024 Conference is a collaboration between ICOM UK, NMDC and National Museums NI, with support from the Northern Ireland Museums Council, the Irish Museums Association, ICOM Ireland and Barker Langham.

@UK_ICOM