Our world in transition

new challenges for university museums and their parent organisations

Authors

• Steven W. G. de Clercq

Abstract

Our world in transition: New challenges for university museums and their parent organisations

For centuries, university museums served as custodians of the university’s scientific and historical heritage. Today however, these collections have ceased to play their pivotal role in academic research and teaching, due to developments in research and teaching-practices. Whilst maintaining their archival function as material evidence of the academic life, research and teaching, they no longer attract the best research or professors and students in the world.
University museums increasingly function on the triple point between the academic world, the museum world and society at large. As each of these worlds is confronted with an identity crisis, and university museums need to redefine their role and mission, this is the appropriate moment of exploring new grounds, where university museums can act as a two-way bridge between the academic world and its local and regional communities.
The article explores some of those possibilities, like the role of the university museum in identity marketing of its parent institution or in community development (public engagement with academic research, outreach, tourism, economic development, city development, etc.).