More than museums: University collections key to unlocking knowledge

On the occasion of International Museums Day (18 May), Kylie Message-Jones, HRC Director, has written a piece for the Australian Academy of the Humanities.

"University collections are part of a larger cohort of heritage that will be celebrated on 18 May for International Museums Day (IMD). IMD2024 focuses on the potential of museums to “unlock knowledge” for the benefit of research and education, an objective that is uniquely suited to university museums, and the research and teaching collections they are built to showcase.

Not all museums have collections, but many more collections around the world – especially those in universities – do not have museums. And although campus museums are currently experiencing a renaissance, many university collections continue to remain orphaned, unknown or inaccessible despite the critical role they play as research infrastructure."

Read the full piece here.