Course:LIBR559A/Cameron, F. (2005)

Citation

Cameron, F. (2005). Contentiousness and shifting knowledge paradigms: The roles of history and science museums in contemporary societies. Museum Management and Curatorship, 20, 213-233.

Annotation

Dr. Fiona Cameron has her PhD in Social Anthropology and Museum Studies, as well as her BA in Archaeology and Classics. She has been a keynote speaker around the globe, partnering with researchers around the globe. She currently is a senior research fellow at the Institute for Culture and Society at Western Sydney University. Her research focuses on globalization and its impact on museums and institutions with contemporary societies. The two main focuses of her research are museum’s representations of current topics in public culture, and digital technologies and heritage collections. Cameron addresses the need for museums to take controversial topics and create engaging experiences that also consider the visitors needs and expectations. Museum exhibits needs to excite visitors, to push them to think differently, and spark deeper thinking about issues. They also need to promote participation and tolerance. Unfortunately this is often contested by the thinking that museums view themselves above society and that they do not foster new ideas but simply exhibit what they feel is an accurate representation. Varying societies and cultures construct meaning in a variety of ways, so exhibiting them under one institution can be incredibly difficult. When dealing with controversial topics, the point is to evoke emotion and discussion. One is controversial for some is not controversial for all and that itself presents challenges. Presenting controversy is something that should be displayed throughout exhibits as a mode of exploring ideas. Museums are cautious to explore these topics as they may lose funding, anger stakeholders and those with political backing, or bring about other seriously negative impacts to themselves and their community. In their study, they found that 60% of patrons feel it is a museum’s responsibility to exhibit controversies. People felt topics were easier to discuss after time had passed, allowing for gathering of information and understanding. It was also widely felt that museums should use the past to help understand current times and what could be in the future. They continue by saying that they should take an active role as social activists. Museums have the opportunity to promote social change and tolerance. When staff were surveyed, many felt they were unable to or should not take on the role of activism, preferring to stay neutral without assigning the institution to their own values. There is a great deal of trust placed on museums and the information they disseminate. They would be a good place to take a stand for social activism and to properly exhibit controversial topics. The study shows that people are expecting this from their museums and it is what they want.

Dr Fiona Cameron. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/ics/people/researchers/fiona_cameron

Areas / Topics / Keywords

History museums, social inclusion, exhibition design, social activism

Kelly Murphy