Second International Academic Symposium of the International Alliance for Teaching Museology in University to Be Held at University College London

Second International Academic Symposium of the International Alliance for Teaching Museology in University (IATMU) to Be Held at University College London

In response to the challenges posed by the global transition toward sustainable museum development and rapid advancements in digital technologies—and to support the upgrading of museology curricula and the cultivation of interdisciplinary talent—the Second International Academic Symposium of the International Alliance for Teaching Museology in University (IATMU) will take place from November 10 to 11, 2026, at University College London (UCL).

The symposium will be held under the theme “Teaching Museum Studies: Challenges and Opportunities” and will feature two core strands of inquiry:

This strand explores three key directions:  

• Digital Curriculum Reform: Examining pathways for integrating artificial intelligence, digital tools, and virtual platforms into museology pedagogy and practice. 

• Interdisciplinary Curriculum Reform: Discussing strategies and models for interdisciplinary education to meet the growing demand for versatile museum professionals.  

• Practice-Oriented Curriculum Reform: Focusing on aligning academic training with professional practice through internships, project-based learning, and collaborative university–museum course development, thereby ensuring graduates are well matched with industry needs.

Centered on object-based learning (OBL) as a core methodological approach in museology, this strand will review its theoretical frameworks, investigate effective implementation methods, explore interpretive strategies, and envision future directions and applications within a global context. It also seeks to develop a shared pedagogical language around “objects” in museum education worldwide.

Drawing on UCL’s exceptional resources—including the UCL Institute of Archaeology, the Petrie Museum of Egyptian and Sudanese Archaeology, the Grant Museum of Zoology, and the UCL Art Museum—the symposium will offer a rich program featuring keynote speeches, poster presentations, thematic workshops, and hands-on study sessions in object-learning laboratories. These activities aim to foster a dynamic interplay between theory and practice in museology education.

Established in 2024 by Zhejiang University in collaboration with 16 leading global universities, IATMU is committed to promoting international collaboration, resource sharing, and innovation in professional museum education. The inaugural symposium was successfully convened at Zhejiang University in November 2024. This second symposium represents another milestone in IATMU’s mission to build a high-level, cross-cultural, and interdisciplinary platform for dialogue among educators and researchers worldwide—advancing museology education through mutual learning and innovation.

We look forward to welcoming colleagues from around the world to UCL in autumn 2026 to collectively address new challenges and explore emerging opportunities in museum studies education.