The 2022 online symposium focused on groups and communities becoming active participants in the production of history in museums.

Different publics do not simply consume history in museums (as visitors or users) but may also contribute to preserving, producing, and exhibiting history. The symposium explores questions such as what groups and communities can bring to the production of history in museums and their impact on historical narratives and on the institutions representing them. It also delves into the limits and challenges of participatory practices and co-production processes in history museums.

What can public participants (not) do? What skills and knowledge are necessary? What are the examples of collaborative decision-making processes that allow contributions from the different publics and how do they affect the role and functioning of museums?

 

Opening and Panel 1: Different expertise and voices in history co-production

Chair: Thomas Cauvin

Panel 2: Participation with publics, citizen science and co-creation

Chair: Grace Simpson

Panel 3: Diversifying the narratives through participation

Chair: Camilla Portesani

Panel 4: Multiple voices in museums and their impact

Chair: Chris Reynolds

Panel 5: Critical reflections on participation and its principles

Chair: Tina de Gendt

Conclusive remarks

by Thomas Cauvin