ABSTRACT
Traversing disciplines, A History of Participation in Museums and Archives provides a framework for understanding how participatory modes in natural, cultural, and scientific heritage institutions intersect with practices in citizen science and citizen humanities.
Drawing on perspectives in cultural history, science and technology studies, and media and communication theory, the book explores how museums and archives make science and cultural heritage relevant to people’s everyday lives, while soliciting their assistance and participation in research and citizen projects. More specifically, the book critically examines how different forms of engagement are constructed, how concepts of democratization are framed and enacted, and how epistemic practices in science and the humanities are transformed through socio-technological infrastructures. Tracking these central themes across disciplines and research from Europe, Canada, Australia and the United States, the book simultaneously considers their relevance for museum and heritage studies.
A History of Participation in Museums and Archives should be essential reading for a broad academic audience, including scholars and students in museum and heritage studies, digital humanities, and the public communication of science and technology. It should also be of great interest to museum professionals working to foster public engagement through collaboration with networks and local community groups.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part |24 pages
Departure
part |66 pages
Democratization
chapter Chapter 4|18 pages
Infrastructures that democratize?
part |54 pages
Divides
chapter Chapter 7|19 pages
Engaging older adults in climate science education
part |63 pages
Drives
chapter Chapter 8|21 pages
Remembering in public
part |69 pages
Developments
chapter Chapter 11|25 pages
Museums that connect science and communities
chapter Chapter 12|21 pages
The participatory epistemic cultures of citizen humanities
part |18 pages
Deductions