Engaging Communities

The International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies at Newcastle University is announcing a two-day conference on the theme of engaging communities, 4th- 5th December 2009*.

Keynote Speakers:
· Dr. Bernadette Lynch, University of Manchester
· Dr. John Carman, Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity, Birmingham University

This conference will bring together graduates, postgraduates and early-career researchers to share and discuss issues concerning the engagement of communities in relation to heritage, museums and galleries practice, including community-led initiatives.

Call for papers:
Papers may present, but are not limited to, research and / or case studies concerning:


* engagement of communities through museum, galleries and heritage practice
* community-led projects
* local community involvement with archaeological site management
* projects initiated and steered by local communities
* internet community development and partnerships
* the role of engaging communities when representing difficult histories
* social history studies
* cultural policy-making with an emphasis on engaging communities
* education and learning
* cross-cultural communication
* safeguarding of communal cultural heritage, including intangible cultural expressions

By ‘engaging’ the research ‘community’, this conference will provide an opportunity to reflect on a range of issues, including the following:
The conference will question how, within the research community, do we go about researching ‘communities’ in the context of heritage, museums and galleries? What are the epistemological, theoretical, methodological and ethical issues that frame this field of study? How are current researchers tackling such issues and what can we learn from the different responses coming out of the various contexts and academic backgrounds that are currently engaged with this research problem? How does the artificial division of fields and disciplines within academic research communities influence the ways in which ‘community’ / ‘communities’ is conceived, conceptualised and studied? How might improving communication and understanding of the range of theoretical and methodological approaches between different ‘disciplines’ in the research community move the field of communities and heritage, museums and galleries forward?

Deadline for 200 word abstract: September 15TH, 2009
Email abstract (word doc) to: engaging2009@googlemail.com
Questions: engaging2009@googlemail.com

Thank you,
Nikki Spalding, Bryony Slater and Michelle L. Stefano
Organising Committee
* Please note that the conference dates have changed to the 4th and 5th due to securing the Great North Museum as one of our venues.