Conference: MUSEUMS, COASTLINES AND THE SEA

I participated a conference at Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Norwich between 20 – 22 May 2015.

This conference explored the role and potential of the museum in relation to human
engagements with the sea and major water courses such as lakes, lagoons and large river
systems. It primarily intends to address questions in the cultural rather than the scientific or
ecological spheres, though it will include responses to environmental factors and climate
change.
The themes  addressed are coastal communities, fragile coastlines, water (its meanings
and histories) and representing coastlines and the sea. Each plenary and workshop session developed questions and discussions in the area of each theme. The background to these
questions is thinking about the ways in which museums reflect or provide evidence for such
discussions, and how they engage their audiences with their implications.