Museums, Collections and Society' research programme launched
The Museums, Collections and Society programme, a joint initiative of the Faculties of Humanities and Archaeology, examines the dynamics and implications of the art of collecting as a universal phenomenon. The activities in the programme, which will be accommodated under LUCAS, will focus on three areas: research, education and professional and social impact. Partnerships will be sought with other academic institutes, other faculties and various museums in Leiden, The Hague, and even in Oxford and Rabat. The initiative fits in with the strategic ambitions of the university, the city of Leiden and the two faculties mentioned. The programme will make better use of the potential for synergy in the Leiden museum world as a whole by strengthening the available expertise and building up networks.
Research, education and impact
The research will have a broad research scope covering a wide array of disciplines, media, periods and places, and will study the art of collection at different levels: the object, collecting as a whole and the social context in which it is set. Visiting researchers will be attracted, (international) lectures organised and project requests will be made in collaboration with museums and cultural institutions.
In terms of education, summer schools will be organised, students will be involved in research internships and research projects and the possibility of setting up a two-year interfaculty Research Master’s programme will be explored.
In terms of professional and social impact, the programme will focus on building an international network of researchers and museum professionals, exchanging expertise and experience in the testing ground between the academy, the museum and the public. Various public activities will also be organised.
Staffing and funding
There are different positions linked to the programme. Pieter ter Keurs was appointed professor and head of the programme on 1 September. In addition, there is capacity for research and education, along with resources for coordination, exchange and activities.
The interdisciplinary programme is one of the projects financed with funds made available by the university to stimulate promising research projects. More information can be found on page 35 of the Annual Report 2018.