Hosted by the Centre for Heritage and Museum Studies (CHMS), The Australian National University in collaboration with the Institute of Cultural Capital (ICC), Liverpool John Moores University and University of Liverpool in the UK, this research seminar will explore the ethical implications of appropriating museum and heritage work as a form of social justice and ‘public good’. As cultural policy narratives in the UK continue to associate and align cultural and creative assets with broader urban public policy agendas, with an increasing emphasis on health, wellbeing and social value, critical questions are raised regarding political impartiality, moral responsibility and associated professional values in cultural institutions. Drawing upon research funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council on professional ethics in such boundary-spanning cultural work (2017-19), the event will invite reflections and spirited debate from Australian cultural leaders with experience of socially engaged museum and heritage work alongside members of Canberra’s cultural policy and research community.