Shaping Collections for the Future

Museum professionals, archivists, library technicians, arts and culture workers and students, this conversation is for you.
Who decides what stays in a museum collection?

Museum collections are constantly evolving, but deciding what belongs and what no longer does raises important questions about ethics, responsibility and the role of museums in our communities.

Join Dr Jenny Durrant, collections specialist, author and Collections Officer at Jane Austen’s House, Chawton, for Shaping Collections for the Future, a day of conversation about how museums and galleries make decisions about the objects in their care.

Whether you work with collections, are studying in the field or are simply curious about what happens behind the scenes at museums and galleries, this event offers a closer look at how collections are shaped and why those decisions matter.

The morning begins with the free public lecture Shaping Collections for the Future, exploring why museums remove objects from their collections and how those decisions are made. As museums work to build more representative, relevant and engaging collections, Durrant will share a UK perspective on the ethics of object disposal, why it matters and the importance of being open about the process.

In the afternoon, Durrant leads the paid workshop Exploring the Challenges Within Object Disposal. Participants will dig deeper into the practical, ethical and emotional challenges of removing objects from public collections. Through discussion and real-world questions, the workshop will explore how thoughtful decisions can better serve museums and the communities around them.

9 September 2026
Stauffer Library, Room 014, Queen’s University

Morning Lecture: Free (Registration Required)
9:30 to 10:30 am

Afternoon Workshop: Paid (Registration Required)
1:30 to 4:15 pm

For more information and registration, visit our site:
https://bit.ly/4zxpY2Q