Title: ICOFOM 48th Annual Assembly – Imagining the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers – Welcome and Opening Remarks
Room; C3 Hall, Hall 1
The ICOFOM International Committee Day opens with a warm welcome and introductory remarks by ICOFOM Chair, Professor Karen Brown, setting the stage for a dynamic programme of dialogue and exchange. ICOFOM’s International Committee Day will include the General Assembly, alongside eight parallel sessions as part of the 48th Annual Symposium, entitled Imagining the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers. This symposium will critically explore current global practices in museum studies education and professional training. It will examine how theory and practice align in today’s museum sector, while addressing both ethical and practical challenges. These presentations will also complement the broader joint symposium, collaboratively organised by ICOFOM, ICTOP, and COMCOL. Through diverse presentations and discussions, the symposium will engage with five central themes: Museum Studies and the Curriculum; Museology; Diversifying Programmes and Practices; Collecting as an Act of Care; and Building Sector Capacity. We aim to foster robust dialogue among scholars, practitioners, educators, and students—addressing global and community-specific needs, diversity, decolonial methodologies, participatory collecting practices, and sustainable capacity building. The day will provide valuable insights and strategic conversations intended to shape sustainable and inclusive futures for all participants.
Title: ICOFOM 48th Annual Assembly – Imagining the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers – Parallel Session 1
Room; C3 Hall, Hall 1
Parallel Session 1 invited speakers will critically engage with the symposium’s five central themes: Museum Studies and the Curriculum; Museology; Diversifying Programmes and Practices; Collecting as an Act of Care; and Building Sector Capacity. These presentations will also complement the broader joint symposium, collaboratively organised by ICOFOM, ICTOP, and COMCOL. Through diverse case studies and critical discussion, Parallel Session 1 will foster dialogue among scholars, practitioners, educators, and students—addressing global and community-specific needs, diversity, decolonial methodologies, participatory collecting practices, and sustainable capacity building. A joint Q&A with the speakers will be held at the end of this parallel session.
Title: ICOFOM 48th Annual Assembly – Imagining the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers – Parallel Session 2
Room; C3 Hall, Hall 2
Parallel Session 2 invited speakers will critically engage with the symposium’s five central themes: Museum Studies and the Curriculum; Museology; Diversifying Programmes and Practices; Collecting as an Act of Care; and Building Sector Capacity. These presentations will also complement the broader joint symposium, collaboratively organised by ICOFOM, ICTOP, and COMCOL. Through diverse case studies and critical discussion, Parallel Session 2 will foster dialogue among scholars, practitioners, educators, and students—addressing global and community-specific needs, diversity, decolonial methodologies, participatory collecting practices, and sustainable capacity building. A joint Q&A with the speakers will be held at the end of this parallel session.
Title: ICOFOM 48th Annual Assembly – Imagining the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers – Parallel Session 3
Room; C3 Hall, Hall 3
Parallel Session 3 invited speakers will critically engage with the symposium’s five central themes: Museum Studies and the Curriculum; Museology; Diversifying Programmes and Practices; Collecting as an Act of Care; and Building Sector Capacity. These presentations will also complement the broader joint symposium, collaboratively organised by ICOFOM, ICTOP, and COMCOL. Through diverse case studies and critical discussion, Parallel Session 3 will foster dialogue among scholars, practitioners, educators, and students—addressing global and community-specific needs, diversity, decolonial methodologies, participatory collecting practices, and sustainable capacity building. A joint Q&A with the speakers will be held at the end of this parallel session.
Title: ICOFOM 48th Annual Assembly – Imagining the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers – Parallel Session 4
Room; C3 Hall, Hall 4
Parallel Session 4 invited speakers will critically engage with the symposium’s five central themes: Museum Studies and the Curriculum; Museology; Diversifying Programmes and Practices; Collecting as an Act of Care; and Building Sector Capacity. These presentations will also complement the broader joint symposium, collaboratively organised by ICOFOM, ICTOP, and COMCOL. Through diverse case studies and critical discussion, Parallel Session 4 will foster dialogue among scholars, practitioners, educators, and students—addressing global and community-specific needs, diversity, decolonial methodologies, participatory collecting practices, and sustainable capacity building. A joint Q&A with the speakers will be held at the end of this parallel session.
Title: ICOFOM 48th Annual Assembly – Imagining the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers – Parallel Session 5
Room; C3 Hall, Room 1
Parallel Session 5 invited speakers will critically engage with the symposium’s five central themes: Museum Studies and the Curriculum; Museology; Diversifying Programmes and Practices; Collecting as an Act of Care; and Building Sector Capacity. These presentations will also complement the broader joint symposium, collaboratively organised by ICOFOM, ICTOP, and COMCOL. Through diverse case studies and critical discussion, Parallel Session 5 will foster dialogue among scholars, practitioners, educators, and students—addressing global and community-specific needs, diversity, decolonial methodologies, participatory collecting practices, and sustainable capacity building. A joint Q&A with the speakers will be held at the end of this parallel session.
Title: ICOFOM 48th Annual Assembly – Imagining the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers – Parallel Session 6
Room; C3 Hall, Room 2
Parallel Session 6 invited speakers will critically engage with the symposium’s five central themes: Museum Studies and the Curriculum; Museology; Diversifying Programmes and Practices; Collecting as an Act of Care; and Building Sector Capacity. These presentations will also complement the broader joint symposium, collaboratively organised by ICOFOM, ICTOP, and COMCOL. Through diverse case studies and critical discussion, Parallel Session 6 will foster dialogue among scholars, practitioners, educators, and students—addressing global and community-specific needs, diversity, decolonial methodologies, participatory collecting practices, and sustainable capacity building. A joint Q&A with the speakers will be held at the end of this parallel session.
Title: ICOFOM 48th Annual Assembly – Imagining the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers – Parallel Session 7
Room; C3 Hall, Room 3
Parallel Session 7 invited speakers will critically engage with the symposium’s five central themes: Museum Studies and the Curriculum; Museology; Diversifying Programmes and Practices; Collecting as an Act of Care; and Building Sector Capacity. These presentations will also complement the broader joint symposium, collaboratively organised by ICOFOM, ICTOP, and COMCOL. Through diverse case studies and critical discussion, Parallel Session 7 will foster dialogue among scholars, practitioners, educators, and students—addressing global and community-specific needs, diversity, decolonial methodologies, participatory collecting practices, and sustainable capacity building. A joint Q&A with the speakers will be held at the end of this parallel session.
Title: ICOFOM 48th Annual Assembly – Imagining the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers – Parallel Session 8
Room; C3 Hall, Room 4
Parallel Session 8 invited speakers will critically engage with the symposium’s five central themes: Museum Studies and the Curriculum; Museology; Diversifying Programmes and Practices; Collecting as an Act of Care; and Building Sector Capacity. These presentations will also complement the broader joint symposium, collaboratively organised by ICOFOM, ICTOP, and COMCOL. Through diverse case studies and critical discussion, Parallel Session 8 will foster dialogue among scholars, practitioners, educators, and students—addressing global and community-specific needs, diversity, decolonial methodologies, participatory collecting practices, and sustainable capacity building. A joint Q&A with the speakers will be held at the end of this parallel session.
Title: ICOFOM 48th Annual Assembly – Imagining the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers – Annual Meeting of ICOFOM (International Committee for Museology)
Room; C3 Hall, Hall 2
The Annual Meeting of the International Committee for Museology (ICOFOM) brings together members from across the globe to reflect on the past year’s achievements and outline strategic priorities for the years ahead. Chaired by Professor Karen Elizabeth Brown (University of St Andrews, Scotland), with Vice-Chairs Dr Anna Leshchenko (Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany) and Dr Marion Bertin (Avignon Université, Centre Norbert Elias, France), the meeting will also be supported by Treasurer Jamie Allan Brown (University of St Andrews, Scotland) and Secretary Lynn Maranda (Curator Emerita, Museum of Vancouver, Canada). The annual gathering provides a vital platform to discuss developments in museology, strengthen international collaboration, and shape the future direction of ICOFOM’s research, events, and publications. An election of the Board will also take place during the meeting.
Title: Annual Meeting of ICOFOM-ASPAC (International Committee for Museology – Asia-Pacific Regional Alliance)
Room; To be confirmed but within C3 Hall
The Annual Meeting of the ICOFOM-ASPAC Regional Alliance Asia-Pacific Board brings together leading museologists to discuss developments and priorities across the region. Chaired by Janet Siew Mooi TEE (former Director, Textile Museum Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), with Margaret Yi ZHENG (Fudan University) as Vice Chair, and Shin-Chieh TZENG (Tainan National University of the Arts) as General Secretary, the Alliance supports dialogue on the evolving roles of museums. ICOFOM-ASPAC has fostered collaboration around key themes, including museology, heritage protection, community engagement, and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.
Title: ICOFOM 48th Annual Assembly – Imagining the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers – Closing Reflections: Towards the Future of Museology
Room; C3 Hall, Hall 1
This closing reflection session will bring together key insights and perspectives from the day’s discussions, offering a moment to reflect on the themes explored throughout the symposium. Participants will be invited to share takeaways, identify emerging ideas, and consider next steps for strengthening museum studies education and professional practice. It will also serve as a space to acknowledge shared challenges and celebrate collective progress toward a more inclusive and sustainable museum sector.
Title: Museum Pedagogies in Times of Change Workshop
Room; To be confirmed but within C3 Hall
Led by Dr Sarina Wakefield, Professor Karen Brown and Aisha Al Muftah. With the burgeoning museum landscape in the Gulf and wider Arab region, there is a pressing need for training new and existing museum professionals. This workshop, open to all interested ICOM members, will explore training needs in the 21st Century through a participatory workshop focused on international perspectives and debates on the role of museum pedagogies. Identifying the skills and practices of different cultural contexts garnered through ICOM regional voices will lead to concrete evidence for future research and partnership working. Open to a maximum of 50 participants.
