The International Council of Museums (ICOM) has provided details of a free online event for students and emerging professionals in the museum and cultural sector, to be hosted by ICOM UK on 27 June.
So Millennial! Exploring intergenerational interactions in museum workplaces with Miranda Stearn, curator at Lancaster Arts, who will discuss her current research exploring intergenerational learning and intergenerational dissonance within the museum and wider cultural workforce as part of a Clore Leadership Fellowship.
To register to attend, please click here.
Trust, learning, challenge & sharing
Stearn has been working in the UK cultural sector for over two decades. Her experience spans combined arts, museums and heritage, with a focus on cultural learning in local authority and university contexts.
As curator of Lancaster Arts, she supports the organisation in creating a contemporary combined arts programme with an emphasis on social and environmental justice. Stearn formerly served as arts and heritage development for an industry-leading local authority arts service, in a learning-focused policy role for a UK-wide funder, and as head of learning at The Fitzwilliam Museum, the largest and oldest museum of the University of Cambridge.
In this session, she will speak about the models and approaches that can help museum professionals to build trust, learn, challenge, and share across generations. Attendees will gain initial learning and be invited to explore the topic further.
So Millennial! Exploring intergenerational interactions in museum workplaces recognises the effect that generational divisions can have on team dynamics, and how, within the culture sector, generational ‘culture wars’ can directly impact what we present to, and how we interact with visitors.
Workforce norms and expectations play a role, from work-life balance to being your whole self at work. The session will also consider how we address difficult or controversial topics and how we respond when a workplace is divided by different attitudes.
Stearn’s research also explores the beneficial experiences that workplace interactions across generations can provide, and the importance of inherited learning, rather than always starting from scratch.
Additionally, ICOM UK is seeking 2 full members and 1 interim member to join its S&EP Working Group. Successful applicants will be involved in organising at least five online events each year and will attend monthly group meetings. For full details and to apply, please click here.
ICOM UK recently invited applications for four trustee roles to support the delivery of its new strategy, which aims to help UK museums work internationally and to connect its members to the international museum community. The new trustees will be appointed at ICOM UK’s online AGM on Friday, 11 July 2025.
