School of Art History Hosts International Museums Conference.

The School of Art History, in collaboration with the International Committee of Museology (ICOFOM), welcomed over 180 delegates from 47 countries (in-person and virtual) to the Transnational Island Museologies international conference from 5-7 June 2024. The conference also welcomed the 47th ICOFOM Annual Assembly on 7 June 2024.

Featuring a global lineup of over 70 speakers, the conference was enriched by the insights of two keynote speakers. Hilda Flavia Nakabuye, an Environmental Youth Activist and Fridays For Future (FFF) Uganda Co-founder, shared her inspiring work that focuses on raising awareness and mobilising young people towards climate action. Prof. Conal McCarthy, a renowned Professor of Museum and Heritage Studies at the Victoria University Wellington, New Zealand, brought his interdisciplinary expertise to explore the intersection of history, theory, and practice in public culture. 

Coordinated by the Shared Island Stories research project,  the conference was held in collaboration with the International Committee of Museology (ICOFOM), which has over 2,000 members worldwide. ICOFOM is a committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), with over 45,000 members across 138 countries and territories. 

School of Art History Research Fellow Jamie Allan Brown said, "The conference welcomed the ICOFOM Board, Shared Island Stories Project Advisors and delegates from around the world to St Andrews. It showcased the university’s role as a global leader in the museum and cultural heritage field, highlighting our collaborative networks and the in-kind support from international partners and friends, ranging from universities and national museums to community-led groups and organisations. The three-day conference offered reflections and debate from the museum field and an opportunity to experience our historic university. On behalf of the organising committee, thank you to the ACES Team and the Museum and Heritage Studies students who volunteered to make it a success.” 

Shared Island Stories Between Scotland and the Caribbean: Past, Present, Future is a five-year international research project led by the School of Art History, selected by the European Research Council and funded by UK Research and Innovation. The project works closely with colleagues in the School of Modern Languages, the School of Geography and Sustainable Development, the School of History, and the School of Philosophical, Anthropological, and Film Studies.

This conference is part of a research project selected by the European Research Council (ERC) and funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) with project reference: EP/X023036/1. Associated workshops were funded by the University’s Scotland’s Future Series and the International Council of Museums (ICOM).