If your research has anything to do with museums, listen up! The University of Auckland is hosting a special Graduate Research Symposium in conjunction with an upcoming conference.
Graduate students from New Zealand, Australia and beyond are presenting their thesis research in Auckland from 9am – 5.30pm on Saturday, 14 May, in a special pre-conference event associated with the Museums Australasia 2016 conference. Bringing together different academic perspectives on museums, collections and the visitor experience, these research students interrogate aspects of today’s museum practices, sharing questions and insights which could shape the thinking of tomorrow’s curators.
The Symposium programme picks up on the main museum conference theme of Facing the future: global, local and Pacific possibilities. Over 20 graduate students at different stages in their research journey will give papers. Sessions cover a range of topics including: the visitor experience; community engagement; digital and replicas – going beyond the real thing; human remains, ethics and policy; and art and interpretation – curatorial practices. Two sessions have a Pacific focus – one on presenting the Pacific and one exploring aspects of material culture from the Pacific.
The programme finishes with active sessions to assist students and other participants engaged in, or thinking about research, to advance the progress of their research. Afterwards participants are invited to the Gus Fisher Gallery to reflect on a new research-based exhibition Alter: between Human and Non-human with a glass of wine.
Programme and registration details can be found at http://ma16.org.nz/graduate-research-symposium/
Those considering careers in museums and art galleries may also be interested in the Emerging Museum Professionals mini-conference EMP: Shaping our future, on Sunday May 15. http://ma16.org.nz/emerging-museum-professionals-mini-conference/
