Diese Tagung wurde ursprünglich für die erste Septemberwoche in Dresden geplant und wird nun digital stattfinden.

Die COVID-19-Pandemie stellt die Universitätsmuseen und -sammlungen vor neue Herausforderungen und verändert die Hochschulbildung für die kommenden Jahre. Wie wir als internationale Gemeinschaft zusammenarbeiten und Probleme, Ideen und neue Perspektiven in Zeiten der Krise und des Übergangs austauschen, wird ein grundlegendes Thema der UMAC-UNIVERSEUM 2021 Konferenz sein.

Topics of the Call for Proposals:

COLLECTIONS: DOCUMENTING THE PAST AND THE PRESENT

The relevance of university collections in time of crises: when the future is unknown we try to mobilize knowledge of a known past. A first reaction to understanding Covid-19 was to mobilize a body of knowledge already established in the past and likely to provide answers. Some of those answers were provided by scientific collections preserved in various universities, research institutes or museums (i.e. samples of Spanish flu virus; 1960s artificial breathing machine). How much do U-collections participate in the building of new knowledge? What collections are being created as a result of COVID-19?

COLLECTIONS AND MUSEUMS CLOSED: NEW WAYS OF ACCESS

Access to our collections for the many: with lockdowns, closed borders, limitations on mobility, this pandemic raises the question of the accessibility of our collections and museums, whether for research, teaching or communication and engagement more broadly.  How much did we learn about this forced digital experience on the one hand, and the need to “keep the distance” during physical engagement with our museums and collections? How much can we learn from these experiences? What would become new practices and what are their limits?

ENGAGING WITH SOCIETY, TAKING STANCES

U-museums have a special position in breaking through the walls between the public and the academy to facilitate dialogue. This is a very important but difficult role in these polarized times with a growing distrust towards science and knowledge elites, in this era of ‘Fake News’ and conspiracy-driven activism. The communication of knowledge generated by universities is therefore more than ever, of great importance for the academic community. How do U-museums pick up on this role of assisting academics to reach out to all parts of society? How do they position themselves in these lively contemporary debates? Do they act merely as facilitators or conduits of information or do they take a stand as advocates?

The Conference Committee for UMAC – UNIVERSEUM 2021 are now welcoming submissions from all over the world that address the topics outlined above.

For further information:
http://umac.icom.museum/activities/conferences/umac-universeum-2021-call-for-proposals/