Since their establishment, museums have played a significant, and often contested, social, political and national role. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries they frequently became sites where the cultural memory of nations was constructed and imperial identities, policies and aspirations were promoted. The last thirty years has witnessed a boom in museums especially those focussing on post-conflict contexts. This symposium addresses the question of whether museums can make a difference in an increasingly conflictual and segregated world.

• Sharon Macdonald, Institute for European Ethnology, Humboldt, Berlin
• Nicholas Thomas, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge
• Gaye Sculthorpe, British Museum
• Christine Eyene, Birkbeck
• Chair: Annie E. Coombes

This event forms part of our year-long celebration marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Department of History of Art at Birkbeck - see the full programme of activities for 2017/18 here.

Image credit: Louvre Abu Dhabi (Inauguration date 11th November 2017), Architect: Jean Nouvel