An Examination of Social Inclusion Understanding and Application Among Museum Professionals
Open Access
- Author:
- Duke, Rachel
- Graduate Program:
- Education, Development, and Community Engagement
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- October 10, 2023
- Committee Members:
- Anil Kumar Chaudhary, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Lucy R. Mc Clain, Committee Member
Mark A Brennan, Program Head/Chair
Patreese Donette Ingram, Committee Member - Keywords:
- social inclusion
museums
belonging
informal education
accessibility
education
COVID-19 - Abstract:
- Do museums create space for everyone? Museums hold significant cultural importance and should utilize inclusive practices to ensure they serve their entire audience. However, there hasn’t been recent research in the field to bridge the gap of having a clear understanding of social inclusion. This research project seeks to discover how museums can become more accessible and welcoming to diverse audiences. The specific questions answered by this research include: (1) What does “social inclusion” mean for museums from the perspective of museum professionals? (2) How do museum professionals perceive the degree of social inclusivity within their institutions? and (3) What socially inclusive practices are applied by museum professionals at their institutions? To answer these questions, an exploratory qualitative study was conducted through interviews with museum professionals across various in the United States. Through this research, we identified perceptions related to what it means to be socially included and critical elements necessary for an organization to foster social inclusivity. Furthermore, this research highlighted commonalities among various programs and practices employed by different organizations to incorporate principles of social inclusion into their programming and operations. Museums are undergoing a significant transformation, transitioning from artifact guardians to dynamic educational institutions with a strong emphasis on promoting positive societal change through unbiased information sharing. This shift in focus is of paramount importance as it reflects how museums perceive and adapt to their roles today. Additionally, the research has highlighted three key components that museum professionals prioritize for achieving social inclusion: sustainable stewardship of cultural heritage to ensure equitable access, presenting information without bias to encourage open dialogue and understanding, and creating a welcoming and inclusive experience for all visitors. These insights provide a deeper understanding of the evolving roles and responsibilities of museums and shed light on their commitment to fostering social inclusion within their institutions. By finding tangible solutions for creating genuinely inclusive environments in the nation's cultural centers, we may open opportunities for all people to fully engage with history and culture.