Session B Archives

In the spirit of the inaugural General Conference in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, ICOM Dubai 2025 promises to be a groundbreaking and uniquely transformative experience for museum professionals, cultural leaders, and community members globally.

The scientific programme features engaging panels, interactive sessions, lecture performances, masterclasses, workshops and more, offering an exciting assemblage of critical cultural dialogue and cutting-edge innovation. Paralleling the diversity of Dubai, the organised sessions set an exemplary balance in the representation of not only age, geography, experience, and skillset, while also showcasing the wide range of museum interests, disciplines and global perspectives.

Under the theme ‘The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities’, we aim to work together to preserve, share, and delve into our cultural identities, reinforcing the role of museums as vital societal pillars and catalysts for growth. The Scientific Programme will interweave three sub-themes, ‘intangible heritage’, ‘youth power’, and ‘new technologies’, across the three days to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing museums today.

Each day is structured to explore a distinct dimension of rapidly changing communities, where sessions address the three sub-themes equally and together.

Considers the critical decisions museums make about which stories, assets, and cultural elements to prioritise, while maintaining their crucial role as stewards of historical truth, authenticity, and accuracy. In an era of technological change, misinformation, and climate challenges, how are preservation practices and the integrity of narratives affected?

Emirati woman demonstrating traditional palm frond weaving for ICOM Dubai 2025.

Welcome to Dubai, and welcome to the future of museums!

In the spirit of the inaugural General Conference in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, ICOM Dubai 2025 promises to be a groundbreaking and uniquely transformative experience for museum professionals, cultural leaders, and community members globally.

The scientific programme features engaging panels, interactive sessions, lecture performances, masterclasses, workshops and more, offering an exciting assemblage of critical cultural dialogue and cutting-edge innovation. Paralleling the diversity of Dubai, the organised sessions set an exemplary balance in the representation of not only age, geography, experience, and skillset, while also showcasing the wide range of museum interests, disciplines and global perspectives.

Under the theme ‘The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities’, we aim to work together to preserve, share, and delve into our cultural identities, reinforcing the role of museums as vital societal pillars and catalysts for growth. The Scientific Programme will interweave three sub-themes, ‘intangible heritage’, ‘youth power’, and ‘new technologies’, across the three days to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing museums today.

Each day is structured to explore a distinct dimension of rapidly changing communities, where sessions address the three sub-themes equally and together.

Looks at how museums reflect and adapt in response to global shifts in societal values, cultural norms, and demographic changes within communities. This day offers actionable insight into how museums can cultivate representative and responsive institutions that serve the changing needs of the public.

Welcome to Dubai, and welcome to the future of museums!

In the spirit of the inaugural General Conference in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, ICOM Dubai 2025 promises to be a groundbreaking and uniquely transformative experience for museum professionals, cultural leaders, and community members globally.

The scientific programme features engaging panels, interactive sessions, lecture performances, masterclasses, workshops and more, offering an exciting assemblage of critical cultural dialogue and cutting-edge innovation. Paralleling the diversity of Dubai, the organised sessions set an exemplary balance in the representation of not only age, geography, experience, and skillset, while also showcasing the wide range of museum interests, disciplines and global perspectives.

Under the theme ‘The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities’, we aim to work together to preserve, share, and delve into our cultural identities, reinforcing the role of museums as vital societal pillars and catalysts for growth. The Scientific Programme will interweave three sub-themes, ‘intangible heritage’, ‘youth power’, and ‘new technologies’, across the three days to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing museums today.

Each day is structured to explore a distinct dimension of rapidly changing communities, where sessions address the three sub-themes equally and together.

Explores the vital role museums play in helping communities navigate and access opportunities amongst social, economic, and environmental challenges.

Welcome to Dubai, and welcome to the future of museums!

The ICOM Dubai 2025 programme of tours and excursions promises to be an unparalleled experience, designed to immerse participants in the vibrant culture, history, and dynamism of the United Arab Emirates. Taking place on Sunday 16th November, 2025, this exciting programme will offer a series of tailored excursions and events that will showcase the UAE in all its diversity, blending the country’s unique mix of rich traditions and hyper-modernity.

Participants will explore all seven emirates, each with its own distinctive identity, yet collectively embodying the UAE’s essence. From world-class museums and institutions in urban centres to smaller, more intimate cultural spots deeply rooted in local heritage, the programme will offer something for every interest. The programme will take participants on a journey to explore the UAE’s living heritage, engage meaningfully with a dynamic new generation of professionals and creatives, and experience some of the most innovative technologies shaping the cultural sector.

Expect to visit a wide range of sites and destinations, spanning multiple disciplines including archaeology, art, architecture, ethnography, performing arts, craft, culinary art, history, design, sustainability, and more. Participants will have the rare opportunity to step into the UAE’s past at significant archaeological sites and historical landmarks, witness exceptional contemporary architecture, explore the living heritage of the UAE and experience how the UAE has become a global hub for innovation, technology, and sustainable development. A memorable feature of this Emirati journey will be experiencing many of the UAE’s sixteen intangible heritage practices that are inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

The ICOM Dubai 2025 programme of tours and excursions is designed to enhance the conference experience, offering participants the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and immerse themselves in the culture of the United Arab Emirates. Stay tuned for a detailed list of sites and experiences to be revealed soon!

Traditional Emirati architecture the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, featured at ICOM Dubai 2025

Digital Transformation in Cultural Heritage: Leveraging Data, AI, and Digital Tools in the Production and Dissemination of Audiovisual Content

The digital era is driving a profound transformation in the cultural heritage sector, reshaping how content is produced, curated, and distributed. How can cultural institutions and content creators harness data, AI, and digital tools to expand access to cultural and audiovisual content? How can they use AI, digital tools and media to offer an open space for people to communicate, to connect culture to culture and person to person?
Main Areas of Interests of this session are:
– AI and Machine Learning in Cultural Content
– Digital Tools for Cultural Content Dissemination
– Digitisation and Preservation of Cultural Heritage
– Emerging Technologies in Audiovisual Production
– AI and Technologies for a “Museum of Love, Understanding and Connection”

Presentation of CECA’s Research, Best Practice and Young Members awards

CECA organizes every year for its members the possibility to submit a project within the framework of three international competitions;
– The Best Practice Award, a tool to improve museum education internationally
– The Colette Dufresne Tassé Research award
– The Young Members award
More than thirty projects are submitted each year to three international jurys
Three Best Practice awardee projects, two Research awardee projects and one Young Member awardee project will be presented by their wilnners and the session will end with the official award ceremony

Youth Power and New Technologies

We will dive into the pivotal role of young people in forging the Egyptian and Sudanese museums and collections of tomorrow. Youth is the power engine that is needed to move ahead and navigate an ever-changing world, while museums, and not least the ones with Egyptian and Sudanese collections possess a unique potential, offering young people a window into the past, a tool for reflection on the present, and a platform for shaping the future.
As communities undergo swift transformations driven by technological advancements, combined with the rise of distance learning, there is an opportunity for museums to tap into the potential of new technologies to create new forms of expression, enhance audience engagement and visitor experiences, and improve operations.

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

We call for papers that may include either of the themes or a combination of them both. Some possible topics can include: How can museums integrate new technologies responsibly? How can technology enhance content creation and sharing while preserving authenticity? What is the role of the young staff and community in the technological development?
We aim at papers being 10 min. and 5 min. discussion. More details will follow.

Call for Papers

Homo Viator. Dressing Nomads, Travelers, Migrants and Pilgrims.

The nomadic lifestyle is connected with the beginnings of many civilizations, but it is also an important feature of the culture of numerous contemporary societies. The need to travel is an indispensable part of human life. During ICOM GA 2025 in Dubai, the international committee ICOM Costume wants to address for its paper sessions the issue of clothing for different kinds of journeys, in all aspects of this phenomenon and from all of communities, regions and times… This overarching theme also seeks to explore tangible and intangible heritage in rapidly changing communities. We seek contributions that examine a wide range of case studies and theoretical approaches, including, but not limited to, the following: Tradition in nomadic and travel dress; Dressing ancient nomads; Dressing contemporary nomads; Travel and migration; Dress accessories.

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

Homo Viator. Dressing Nomads, Travelers, Migrants and Pilgrims.

The nomadic lifestyle is connected with the beginnings of many civilizations, but it is also an important feature of the culture of numerous contemporary societies. The need to travel is an indispensable part of human life. During ICOM GA 2025 in Dubai, the international committee ICOM Costume wants to address for its paper sessions the issue of clothing for different kinds of journeys, in all aspects of this phenomenon and from all of communities, regions and times… This overarching theme also seeks to explore tangible and intangible heritage in rapidly changing communities. We seek contributions that examine a wide range of case studies and theoretical
approaches, including, but not limited to, the following themes:

Tradition in nomadic and travel dress: Development and stagnation in men’s and women’s dress in societies rooted in nomad culture. Social, cultural and symbolic functions of nomadic dress. Dress for pilgrimage in various religious traditions.
Dressing ancient nomads: Historical dress of nomadic tribes. Dress of nomads in museum collections.
Dressing contemporary nomads: Elements of nomadic dress in contemporary fashion design. Nomadic dress as inspiration in fashion design of 20th and 21st centuries.
Travel and migration: Fashion for travel. Different clothing for different kinds of journeys. Dress in a bag. What migrants take with them for a life journey. Clothing as an expression of identity in a foreign country.
Dress accessories: Fashion accessories of nomad dress – traditional use and as adopted in contemporary fashion. Techniques of dress adornment. Travel accessories: bags, walking sticks, shoes, etc.

Abstracts of 300 words, along with a brief author biography (300 words), should be submitted by June 15, 2025. Papers should be limited to 15 minutes.

Call for Paper

Future Museums of (GLASS) and Rapidly Changing Communities

Although the Corona disaster that has threatened us in recent years has finally come to an end, the social environment around us is changing rapidly and is by no means stable, with natural disasters in various regions, destruction caused by war and global political instability.

However, in this environment, the arts have always served as a unique communication tool to connect people in a friendly and peaceful manner, transcending cultures and ethnic groups. We look forward to your presentation of examples of outstanding communication activities in your museum, institution or academic institution, including ongoing or innovative educational outreach through glass art and new ways to engage viewers. By sharing these initiatives with our members, who have glass collections from around the world, we hope to contribute to the international community by further expanding the museum as a place of communication that is close to each of our communities.

Museum Architecture and Techniques and New Technologies

Museums are increasingly leveraging digital formats to present tangible and intangible heritage. This session explores how emerging technologies are reshaping museum architecture and exhibition design (flexible spaces, interactive exhibits, use of new technologies) with a special focus on the empowerment of audiences. It examines how digital tools, interactive design, and immersive experiences can safeguard heritage while making it more accessible and engaging, especially for younger audiences. Additionally, the session will address the evolving relationship between physical and virtual museum spaces, immersive and interactive exhibitions, combined with material choices, that promote a deeper emotional connection to cultural practices and histories.

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

Abstracts can cover topics listed below, but not only:

The role of emerging technologies in making heritage more accessible through innovative architecture and flexible exhibition design.
Exploring how museum spaces can blend physical and virtual environments to present and safeguard tangible and intangible heritage in new, interactive and engaging ways.
The influence of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), digital twins and other immersive technologies on museum architecture and visitor experiences.
The role of technology in creating dynamic, participatory environments where visitors actively contribute to the presentation and safeguarding of heritage.
Integrating digital and immersive technologies to create dynamic, youth-focused museum experiences.

The proposal should include the following:

Session title (A, B or C)
Title of the paper
Name(s) of Author(s)
Abstract (do not exceed 300 words / no images nor bibliography)
3-5 Keywords
Short bio (max. 300 words) of the author (for each author, in case of the joint work)
Affiliation
Full address: country, city, phone numbers, e-mail address (of each author in case of the joint proposal)
ICOM membership number, committee (for each author, in case of the joint proposal).

All Abstracts should be sent in English.

Call for Paper

Adornment and Identity in Spatial Design and Objects

This joint session between DEMHIST and DESIGN (formerly ICDAD) explores adornment in domestic environments as a form of personal expression and cultural identity, as seen in museum architecture, collections, and display. It invites papers on house museums, decorative objects, ornament, and interior design, considering how domestic interiors reflect identity, aesthetics, social roles, and historical context across time and place. Period rooms, furnishings, and objects reveal both individual tastes and broader artistic movements.
Papers that engage with one or more of the ICOM Dubai 2025 subthemes of “intangible heritage,” “youth power,” and “new technologies” are especially welcome. Topics might include sustaining craft traditions, engaging younger generations with historic design, and using digital tools to reinterpret or present domestic spaces.
With perspectives from both DEMHIST and DESIGN, the session aims to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue on how domestic adornment shapes and reflects lived experience and how museums preserve and share these narratives with the public.

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

This joint session will explore the role of adornment in museum architecture, collections, and display as a means of both self and social expression as well as cultural identification within domestic environments. It welcomes papers on house museums, decorative art objects, décor, ornament, design, and architecture.

The home is a place where personal expression, the formation of identity, and aesthetics collide. The site of some of the greatest debates about the role of design, houses are also expressions of their owners, their time periods, and their geographic location. House museums, period rooms, and museum objects produced for use in domestic environments remind us of the importance of the home, presenting interiors that reflect social standing, artistic movements, and evolving tastes. They often exhibit personal artifacts that show the individual preferences of their residents over time.

This collaborative session between DEMHIST and DESIGN (formerly ICDAD) allows for a broader discussion regarding how adornment shapes and reflects identity across a diversity of homes, daily lives, and societies.

Key discussion points for this joint session include these three subthemes of the Dubai 2025 General Conference:

1) Intangible Heritage: How do museums represent and educate the public about the artisanal skills of living craftspeople and artists, past and present, who contribute to domestic adornment? What challenges exist for house museums or museum installations of period rooms when artisanal traditions die out in the modern age. How are living artistic traditions associated with the domestic sphere used to activate museum collections and engage museum audiences?

2) Youth Power: How can museum engagement with younger generations connect audiences with historic forms of adornment? How have younger designers, architects, and craftspeople engaged with history in their work in the domestic sphere? How are young designers and artists today understanding the role of adornment in their designs for interior spaces? How can house museums promote contemporary interpretations by new generations of artists within apparently past styles of decoration?

3) New Technologies: Which digital and technological innovations allow museums to effectively document, preserve, and share narratives of adornment in relation to domestic environments? How can new technologies help us understand traditions of adornment through the study of homes long destroyed, or never built? How have social media and digital technologies been used to present domestic spaces and objects in museums.

By bringing together perspectives from DESIGN and DEMHIST, this session will highlight the intersections between personal heritage and material culture, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on the role of adornment in domestic interiors, house museums, and beyond.

Call for Paper

From talk to Action with a Global Perspective: What does Museum Decolonisation Really Look Like? Decolonisation across Different Contexts

This conference session addresses a pressing and often uncomfortable question: Are museums truly transforming or engaging in symbolic gestures to appear progressive? In recent years, many institutions have made public commitments to “decolonisation”, but the substance behind these declarations is often unclear. We invite contributions that critically assess whether Western museums are enacting meaningful change or simply adopting the language of decolonisation without altering foundational power structures.

Conversely, we are interested in opening the conversation beyond the often Euro-American-centric lens and recognising that decolonisation means different things in different historical, cultural, and geopolitical contexts. We encourage contributors to explore how museums in the Global South, Indigenous contexts, or formerly colonised regions approach and understand decolonisation in ways that may differ from those of Western institutions.

1. From Talk to Action — What Does Museum Decolonisation Really Look Like?

Presenters are invited to critically examine how we might distinguish between genuine structural change and more superficial effort such as updated labels, renamed galleries, or the hiring of diverse staff without accompanying shifts in institutional power. Contributors may explore how progress in decolonising museums can be meaningfully evaluated, whether through repatriation efforts, changes in governance and staff demographics, community participation, or other tangible criteria. This theme also encourages reflection on whether museums are truly transforming their internal cultures or merely changing their external image, and whether they are fundamentally rethinking the ways they collect, interpret, and display objects—or simply rebranding colonial collections. Submissions may include both constructive case studies of institutions undergoing radical change and critical analyses of those that have failed to follow through on decolonial commitments

2. Global Perspectives — Décolonisation accross Different Contexts

Possible directions for papers may include explorations of how the Western Museum model itself is rooted in colonial ideology, and how institutions outside the West are challenging or adapting this framework. Authors might examine the differences between postcolonial and settler colonial contexts — for example, comparing how decolonisation is approached in Australasia, Africa, or any other former colonial context, and how historical legacies and current political realities influence museum practices. Indigenous-led museums and cultural centres may offer grounded examples of decolonisation from the community level, providing valuable insights into alternative models. Papers could also consider how museums in formerly colonised countries handle the display of colonial-era objects or represent their own cultural narratives in ways that subvert dominant colonial interpretations. Cross-cultural comparisons are especially welcome, such as examining repatriation efforts across regions or contrasting community engagement strategies in different national contexts. Finally, the role of language, indigenous knowledge systems, and oral histories in shaping curatorial narratives invites reflection on how decolonisation intersects with broader questions of representation, authority, and interpretation.

Session 2: What Technology Enhances – Digital Innovation and Artistic Expression

Technology is reshaping the way art is created, preserved, and experienced. From digital curation in museums to AI-generated art and virtual reality exhibitions, new technologies offer both opportunities and challenges in representing diverse artistic traditions. This session explores how technological advancements can enhance our understanding of ethnicity in art, bridge cultural gaps, and expand accessibility while also questioning potential risks such as cultural dilution or digital exclusion.

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

This session invites proposals that explore the impact of technological innovation on the creation, presentation, and interpretation of art and ethnicity within museum practice. Critical perspectives or cautions regarding these innovations are also welcome.

Expected presentations may include topics such as:

AI and machine learning in artistic creation or curatorial practice
Digital storytelling and the representation of ethnic or indigenous art
The ethics of digital reproduction, appropriation, and authorship
Museum-related issues surrounding digital exclusion and cultural dilution
Technologies that foster cross-cultural understanding

Call for Paper

Transformations in Museum Practice Through Intergenerational Change

One of the most important forces pushing transformation in museum practice is youth. In this session, ICME wants to address the way museums and their staff are responding to youth-led initiatives and youth participation, and to their demands for activism and justice. Particularly, we would like to focus on how collaboration with new generations can provoke changes in leadership structure, museum vision and research agendas. Are these collaborations taking museums to a genuine and meaningful shift in policies or practice, or are they superficial? How are museums engaging with younger generations as partners and visionaries? We invite participants to think about what younger generations want from museums today, and how we are meeting their expectations as cultural institutions.
Moreover, in this session we want to explore how we define “youth” in museum practice. Are we talking about temporal age or newness in practice or ideas? What happens when youth is also understood as a political position and discursive approach that challenges the conventional and insists on alternative knowledge(s) and futures?

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

The committee calls for a variety of proposed contributions, including papers, posters, roundtables, and panels from colleagues who work on collections, exhibitions and programming that aim to diversify audiences and reconsider interpretive practice, whilst valuing and respecting traditional heritages and practices. Proposals for papers (15 minutes or less) or panels (60 minutes or less) should not exceed 300 words. Proposals will be submitted through the ICOM General Conference website.

The following information should be included with the abstract proposal:

Title of submitted proposal
Indicate if it is a paper, panel session or workshop:
Name(s) of Author(s) or presenters
Affiliation(s) & full address(es)
Position:
Email:
ICOM membership number (membership is not required)
ICME Member yes/no (membership is not required)
Technical requirements for the proposed presentation
150-word short biographical statement for each presenter

Your abstracts should be submitted through the ICOM Portal by 15nd of July 2025, midnight CET. A copy can be sent to icom.icme@gmail.com. Accepted proposals will be notified by 31st of July 2025. Acceptable formats are Microsoft Word (.docx) and PDF. The abstract language must be submitted in English. Presentations will be delivered in English during the General Conference. We hope that you join us in person at the meeting, but virtual contributions are welcome.

We invite international proposals that focus on ethnographic, anthropology, world culture or society museums. However, we would like to hear from colleagues working in or on museums and museological issues, views, or topics of every kind. We are keen to review issues of coloniality, indigeneity, diversity, (in)equality and social justice. Submissions may be edited by the Conference and Scientific Committees for the program booklet.

Call for Paper

The Landscape of Memory and Resistance Through Music and Performance

Music, while often thought of as intangible heritage, is also reflected in the material culture found in many types of museum collections. The ubiquity of music in cultural life, the myriad ways in which it delights and moves people, and its rich scope for cultural significance at many levels, make music and its tangible heritage important fields of inquiry and collaborative research. Musical instruments may be viewed at the heart of such investigations, yet when placed within historical and contemporary contexts, musical practices may be intertwined with other artefacts which also embody and express cultural identity, social, political, and spiritual ideas and values. Best practices in museum work allow for new ways for society to see, hear, access and engage with tangible and intangible heritage, and learn about the histories, artistry, craft, and techniques. The importance and fragility of such work is directly impacted by current wars and conflicts, suppressing and destroying material and immaterial cultural heritage.

Academic Program

Academic exchange in the field of interest of ICOMAM (Arms & Military). Topic: The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

We invite you to submit a paper for the XIV symposium of ICOMAM (ICOM: Arms & Military) during the 27th General Conference of ICOM in Dubai, 11 – 17 November 2025.
To submit your paper, please send an abstract of your study proposal (maximum 220 words), and a biography (maximum 110 words). Include: name, title, institution, your function.
The submission will be subject of selection. The board selects the submitted proposals.
After the symposium, it will result in a peer-reviewed publication. All papers will be considered for publication. A style guide and publication guidelines for authors will follow afterwards and a deadline will be set up.

Call for Paper

Youth Power—Co-Creation, Activism, and Digital Fluency

Today’s youth tend to be technology and trend savvy, creative, innovative, compassionate, and curious, but they are also vulnerable to a 24-7 virtual avalanche of information and images that target them to think and behave in certain ways. How do museums connect, inspire, and engage them in this crowded environment of fast-paced and constantly changing messages, images, and modes of digital communication?

Through presentations and interactive discussions, ICOM COMMS (former MPR) will address topics of interest to museum communicators, marketers, fundraisers, and community engagement specialists, including youth-led marketing initiatives, intergenerational engagement strategies, and youth-focused fundraising models.

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

ICOM COMMS (former MPR) submissions should primarily address one of the three major following topics, #1, #2, #3:

1) Youth-Led Marketing Initiatives

Building youth advisory boards for authentic marketing and community relationships
TikTok and emerging platform strategies developed by young audiences
Youth-led initiatives that deal with online bullying and/or promote positive engagement
Mentorship programmes pairing marketing professionals with youth leaders

Key Discussion Points may include creating authentic content with and for youth audiences; building systems for ongoing youth input in marketing; promoting peace and engaging with tough issues to make a difference; and navigating institutional barriers to youth leadership.

2) Intergenerational Engagement Strategies

Creating communication channels that bridge generation gaps
Developing campaigns that appeal across age demographics
Measuring the impact of youth-driven audience development
Engaging Gen Z/Alpha as collaborators, not just audiences

Key Discussion Points may include Tik-Toking: balancing authenticity vs. institutional voice, amplifying youth activism (e.g., climate justice, decolonization) in museum spaces; metrics and measurement: evaluating cross-generational engagement; content strategy: messaging that resonates across age groups; and conflict resolution: managing tensions in intergenerational projects.

3) Youth-Focused Fundraising Models

Crowdfunding campaigns designed and executed by young people
Pitching to foundations focused on youth development
Building sustainable revenue streams that empower young leaders

Key Discussion Points may include youth-led membership programmes; corporate sponsorships targeting youth-centric brands; fundraising events designed for and by young people; digital fundraising strategies targeting younger donors; and foundation relationships centered on youth development.

Call for Paper

Collecting the Digital: Rethinking Materiality in Science and University Museums

Digital technologies present a unique challenge for science and university museums. Unlike traditional scientific instruments or artifacts, digital innovations—such as artificial intelligence, algorithms, and data-driven research tools—often lack a physical presence that corresponds to their profound societal impact. This session explores how museums can collect, document, and interpret digital and contemporary scientific heritage in ways that preserve both their material and conceptual significance.

Bringing together perspectives from universities and museum professionals, this session will examine key questions: How do we collect and exhibit AI and other digital technologies? When is the physical object necessary, and when can alternative collecting strategies be employed? How do decisions about what to collect shape future research and public engagement?

Through a keynote presentation, case studies, and discussion, this session will highlight innovative approaches to collecting scientific heritage from university labs and beyond. Rather than providing definitive answers, it will raise critical questions about the evolving role of collections in the digital age, balancing materiality, research, and dissemination.

Call for Papers

(The call for paper submission closed on 22 June 2025)

Science and university museums face an ongoing challenge: how to collect and exhibit digital technologies that shape contemporary research and society. Unlike traditional scientific instruments, digital innovations—such as artificial intelligence, algorithms, and data-driven tools—often lack a tangible form that aligns with their significance. As museums rethink their approaches to collecting contemporary science, questions of materiality, documentation, and interpretation become increasingly urgent.

This session invites contributions that explore the complexities of collecting digital and contemporary scientific heritage. We welcome papers that address:

Strategies for collecting and documenting AI, algorithms, and digital tools
The role of materiality in scientific collections: What should be preserved? What is lost?
Case studies of collecting contemporary science from university labs and industry
The relationship between collecting, research, and public engagement
Innovative approaches to exhibiting digital technologies in museum contexts

We encourage both theoretical reflections and practical case studies that challenge conventional collecting practices. The session will feature a keynote presentation, followed by selected papers and a discussion that raises critical questions rather than offering definitive answers.

Submission Guidelines:

Abstracts should be between 250 and 300 words.
Remember to include a short biography max 150 words or as the submission portal allows.
All submissions must be submitted to the official portal.
All submissions will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee comprised of members of both UMAC and CIMUSET.
No individual may present more than one paper.
Co-authors and co-presenters must be defined when submitting your abstract.

Call for Paper

Leadership and Strategic Advocacy

In the light of declining public funding, museum leaders find that their role increasingly requires effective advocacy to leverage new sources of funding and influence decision-making. Among the tools of advocacy are compelling evidence of the beneficial social and economic value of museums and familiarity with existing cultural policy. In addition, however, campaign development, pitching an idea, identifying decision-makers, building a stakeholder base, and effective lobbying strategies are also essential. This session will explore values-based advocacy for museum leadership to build sustainable futures.

Moderator: Hans van Bunte (INTERCOM)
Keynote speakers: Asma Ibrahim (ICOMON); Terry Nyambe (ICOM Zambia) TBC
Flash presentations: call for papers related to the synopsis

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

Leadership and Strategic Advocacy
We expect flash papers @ 7 minutes on advocacy that help us understand how museum leaders address barriers present in their work. Submissions can focus on practice-related topics like funding, public relevance, and public heritage consciousness.
Papers will be asked to address (a) examples of a successful advocacy campaign to raise awareness of the need for ongoing government funding (b) examples of building stakeholder advocacy groups (c) examples of lobbying campaigns aimed at decision-makers.

Proposals should include the following information in English / French:

International committee and the number of ICOM membership
Institution of employment and role in the institution
Session and topic for which the presentation is submitted
Title of submitted paper presentation
Abstract (200 words minimum – 300 words maximum)
Keywords (5)
Name(s) of Author(s)
Contacts with obligatory email address
Support equipment required
Marking whether the presentation is planned to be on-site
All submissions must include a 100‐word bio with a photograph of each presenter

Call for Paper

Literary and Composers’ Museums, House Museums of Writers and Musicians towards the Future

Literature, music and poetry are an intangible heritage that literary and composers’ museums try to make visible. Making the invisible visible is the mission of our museums. How will museums of the future work? What kind of installations will they have to make the museum interesting, engaging and interactive? A very important task of our museums is the ongoing education of adults of all ages, involving the community in the life of the museum, promoting the reading of literary works, spreading and disseminating the poetic heritage, the promotion of music and musical practice, the visit of places linked to writers and composers or narrated in their literary works. Literary and musical museums, house museums of writers and composers’ work in this field of activity and present their good practices, their seminars and conferences on this topic.

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

The key questions we ask ourselves are the following:

How can literary and composers’ museums around the world be ready to face the challenges of the future?
How can new technologies help literary and composers’ museums?
How can the intangible heritage that literary and composers’ museums promote be increasingly better transmitted to the local and global community and become common heritage?
How can the literary and musical heritage that is illustrated in literary and composers’ museums be transmitted to new generations in a fascinating and engaging way?
What is the role and significance of literary and composers’ museums in the digital and artificial intelligence era?
Are there any problems in acquiring collections in literary and composer museums in the 21st century?

We invite you to submit a short abstract of your paper with title, author, museum role, and a short summary of the paper (maximum 1000 characters including spaces) illustrating good practices, theoretical reflection or innovative museum solutions on the topic and its three sub-themes.

For any information and to send abstracts, please contact the ICLCM Committee Secretariat (Yurij Komlev Secretary ICLCM <secretary.iclcm@icom.museum>).

The presentation of each paper can take place in person or in a hybrid format (in hopefully limited cases). Each presentation will have a maximum duration of 10 minutes and slides in compatible format or files in PPTX or PDF format or other compatible formats can be used.

Call for Paper

Interpreting History and Archaeology at Regional Museums – Beyond Display and Innovative Interpretation of Archaeological Heritage

Integrating advanced technology into archaeological practices has revolutionized how researchers uncover, document, and interpret the past. During excavation and documentation, tools such as LiDAR, 3D laser scanning, and GIS enable precise mapping of sites, even beneath dense vegetation/urban layers. These methods enhance accuracy and preserve fragile artifacts by reducing physical handling. Beyond the field, technology plays an equally critical role in communicating archaeological findings to the public. Museums now employ Virtual Reality (VR) to transport visitors to ancient sites, while Augmented Reality (AR) overlays interactive reconstructions atop excavated ruins or artifacts. Interactive touchscreens and holographic displays contextualize objects with multimedia narratives, bridging the gap between ancient cultures & modern audiences. Digital databases and online platforms, such as 3D Heritage Archive, democratize access to discoveries, while AI-driven apps tailor educational content to diverse learning styles. By merging cutting-edge technology with traditional archaeology, researchers & educators foster a deeper, more inclusive understanding of humanity’s shared heritage

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

Theme 1: Interpreting History and Archaeology at Regional Museums

Community-Centered Narratives: Engaging local communities in co-creating historical and archaeological interpretations.
Decolonizing Heritage: Addressing colonial legacies in historical and archaeological collections and redefining ownership.
Balancing Local Identity and Global Standards: Strategies for aligning regional museums with international best practices without erasing local distinctiveness

Theme 2: Beyond Display: Innovative Interpretation

Documentation and Mapping: working in the field and the use of GIS mapping systems, photogrammetry, LiDAR, drones, 3D scanning, GPR, digital databases.
Digital Tools and Immersive Technologies: AR/VR for reconstructing archaeological sites. AI-driven storytelling and interactive databases.
Multisensory Experiences: Tactile exhibits, soundscapes, and olfactory installations to enhance accessibility.
Case Studies: Successful reinterpretations of historical and archaeological collections (e.g., reburial ceremonies, digital repatriation).

Call for Paper

Cycling Cities: A Research Model for City Museums

Your City Next! Researching and Curating Cycling Histories (workshop)

Bicycles, once novel, then old-fashioned, are back again. Professor Ruth Oldenziel (Technical University Eindhoven) and Annemarie de Wildt (emeritus curator Amsterdam Museum) present lessons from the Cycling Cities international network and insights from Bicycles Forever exhibitions from Ghana to the Netherlands.

In a hands-on 90-minute workshop they will share inspiring global examples of how cycling histories have been turned into engaging exhibits. Then participants will work in groups to brainstorm, sketch, and pitch ideas for cycling city exhibitions rooted in their own urban experiences. We will explore methodologies for researching and curating urban cycling histories across diverse contexts. Expect lively discussions, rapid idea generation, and a focus on storytelling that connects past, present, and future cycling cultures. Come ready to collaborate and reimagine how museums can champion cycling in the city, including in your own city.

The Future of Collecting

ICOM Dubai 2025 invites us to envision the future of museums and communities together. COMCOL takes on this invitation and will use the time of this session to exchange ideas of community focused collecting and how this poses new questions – ethical, legal, social, psychological and museological. How to rethink collecting when building relations as practice of care becomes first before the care of the object, when shifting ideas about ownership and authority affect collecting practices.

Traveling Exhibitions Workshop

ICOM Exhibitions brings the pros to you! In this workshop, industry experts will share their extensive experience in managing and touring exhibitions, both large and small. Participants will gain valuable insights into the key aspects of planning and executing a successful traveling exhibition, including: Topic Selection: Learn how to choose compelling and relevant themes that resonate with diverse audiences. Vendor Agreements: Understand the essentials of negotiating and managing agreements with vendors, ensuring smooth collaboration and clear expectations. Touring Artifacts: Explore the considerations involved in deciding whether to include artifacts in your exhibition, including conservation, security, and legal implications. Logistics: Delve into the practicalities of transporting, installing, and maintaining exhibitions across multiple venues. Rental Agreements: Gain knowledge on drafting and negotiating rental agreements that protect your interests while fostering successful partnerships. Whether you’re new to traveling exhibitions or looking to refine your approach, this workshop will provide you with the foundational tools and strategies needed to bring your exhibitions to life on the road.

Young People Shaping the Future of Museology through the Lens of the SDGs

ICOFOM Workshop: Young People Shaping the Future of Museology through the Lens of the SDGs

Workshop – Led by Jamie Allan Brown (ICOFOM and the University of St Andrews) and Kaye Hall (ICOM Barbados and the Barbados Museum & Historical Society). The ICOFOM Youth Workshop Series is a special project funded by ICOM’s Strategic Allocation Review Committee (SAREC), running from 2022 to 2025. Grounded in research led by the University of St Andrews in collaboration with ICOFOM, this three-year global initiative creates safe spaces for young people, early-career practitioners, and those working with youth to engage in critical dialogue. In partnership with museums and heritage organisations, the project spans 18 countries and territories, delivering over 19 workshops worldwide.

Participants explore how museums can foster climate literacy, advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and support community adaptation strategies. Rooted in critical pedagogy and socially responsive museology, the series draws inspiration from youth engagement to promote mutual learning between young people, museum professionals, traditional knowledge holders, and other stakeholders. This ICOFOM-led workshop will offer both a reflection on the global series and an opportunity for participants to contribute to its findings. The session is open to a maximum of 50 participants.

ICOFOM Workshop: Museum Pedagogies in times of change

Workshop – 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.

How sustainable is the future in light of the rapidly changing environmental and social effects on communities?

A panel discussion will explore the intersection of social and environmental sustainability with sustainable development practices in museums, climate action, and environmental justice. The conversation will reflect on how the 2030 UN Agenda incorporates intangible heritage as part of the solutions for sustainable futures, and how museums can foster positive changes through community knowledge and collaboration.
Three diverse guest speakers from different parts of the globe will share their experiences, alongside insights from ICOM SUSTAIN and NATHIST regarding sustainable development and climate justice through museum initiatives

Session B

Session B 12th November 2025, 16:30 – 18:00 (Subject to Modifications)

BC-1

AVICOM

Digital Transformation in Cultural Heritage: Leveraging Data, AI, and Digital Tools in the Production and Dissemination of Audiovisual Content

BC-2

CECA

Presentation of CECA’s Research, Best Practice and Young Members awards

BC-3

CIPEG

Youth Power and New Technologies

BC-4

COSTUME

Homo Viator. Dressing Nomads, Travelers, Migrants and Pilgrims.

BC-5

GLASS

Future Museums of (GLASS) and Rapidly Changing Communities

BC-6

ICAMT

Museum Architecture and Techniques and New Technologies

BC-7

ICDAD, DEMHIST

Adornment and Identity in Spatial Design and Objects

BC-8

ICETHICS

From talk to Action with a Global Perspective: What does Museum Decolonisation Really Look Like? Decolonisation across Different Contexts

BC-9

ICFA

Session 2: What Technology Enhances – Digital Innovation and Artistic Expression

BC-10

ICME

Transformations in Museum Practice Through Intergenerational Change

BC-11

ICMEMOHRI, CIMCIM

The Landscape of Memory and Resistance Through Music and Performance

BC-12

ICOMAM

Academic Program

BC-13

ICOM COMMS

Youth Power—Co-Creation, Activism, and Digital Fluency

BC-14

CIMUSET, UMAC

Collecting the Digital: Rethinking Materiality in Science and University Museums

BC-15

INTERCOM, ICOMON

Leadership and Strategic Advocacy

BC-16

ICLCM

Literary and Composers’ Museums, House Museums of Writers and Musicians towards the Future

BC-17

ICR, ICMAH

Interpreting History and Archaeology at Regional Museums – Beyond Display and Innovative Interpretation of Archaeological Heritage

B-18

CAMOC

Cycling Cities: A Research Model for City Museums

B-19

COMCOL

The Future of Collecting

B-20

ICEE

Traveling Exhibitions Workshop

B-21

ICOFOM

Young People Shaping the Future of Museology through the Lens of the SDGs

B-23

NATHIST, SUSTAIN

How sustainable is the future in light of the rapidly changing environmental and social effects on communities?

Participants will be required to submit the following information:

BC-1 AVICOM

Digital Transformation in Cultural Heritage: Leveraging Data, AI, and Digital Tools in the Production and Dissemination of Audiovisual Content

BC-2 CECA

Presentation of CECA’s Research, Best Practice and Young Members awards

BC-3 CIPEG

Youth Power and New Technologies

BC-4 COSTUME

Homo Viator. Dressing Nomads, Travelers, Migrants and Pilgrims.

BC-5 GLASS

Future Museums of (GLASS) and Rapidly Changing Communities

BC-6 ICAMT

Session B
12th November 2025, 16:30 – 18:00 (Subject to Modifications)