Conference Day 1: Diversity

November 27, 2025

Diversity and discourse in post-normal times: Re-imagining museum engagement – Marianne Achiam

Keynote

In a world of contested knowledge and urgent decisions, science centres and museums operate under post-normal conditions, where uncertainty, value conflict, and plurality are the norm. This keynote repositions diversity as an epistemic resource rather than a demographic challenge, drawing on post-normal and deliberative frameworks to propose museums as infrastructures of dialogue. Instead of striving for consensus, museums can foster reflexive, inclusive spaces where complexity and disagreement become productive. Drawing on examples from sustainability and art–science collaborations, I outline how museums might methodically engage diverse publics by embracing uncertainty and plurality as conditions for learning and participation in the 21st century.

Marianne Achiam is Associate Professor and Head of the Science Communication research group at the Department of Science Education, University of Copenhagen. Her research investigates how science communication functions as a societal interface for knowledge production and public engagement, with particular attention to museums, sustainability, and the dynamics of post-normal science.

Multicultural climate change education in informal learning environments – Orit Ben-Zvi Assaraf

Short Talk

Climate change education aims to prepare future citizens for the impacts of climate change, foster awareness, build personal resilience, and cultivate the capacity for proactive action toward a sustainable future. The present study addresses the disconnect between climate education and lived experience of marginalized societies in museums and present the – Third-Space Theory lens for fostering a culturally responsive informal learning environment.

Orit Ben-Zvi Assaraf is a professor at the Graduate Program for Science and Technology Education at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. Over the past 20 years, her PhD and master’s students have explored various aspects related to informal learning environment, specifically science museum education. Her informal learning environments research is in three domains: (1) exploring family learning in zoos and science museums; (2) understanding and improving interactions and mediation processes in science museums; (3) exploring the cultural dimension of climate literacy and environmental informal education.

Internet memes: cultural heritage objects for young people and memory archives – Palmyre Pierroux

Short Talk

This presentation explores how internet memes can serve as meaningful objects for engaging young people in the work of memory archives, and expand understandings of what constitutes cultural memory material in the digital age. Based on design-based research methods and a participatory approach, the study follows secondary school students (aged 16–19) as “meme researchers,» collecting, tagging, and curating memes for the institution’s collections. The study shows how the memes functioned as expressions of identity, cultural commentary, and civic engagement, positioning the young people as experts and co-creators of cultural heritage. The presentation reflects on how participatory digital practices can transform institutional methodologies for addressing new audiences in memory institutions.

Palmyre Pierroux is Professor and Head of Research at the Department of Education, University of Oslo. Her research focuses on meaning making and knowledge practices in informal learning contexts, including museums and citizen science / humanities activities. Her research and innovation projects often explore how digital media and new technologies are transforming visitor experiences – and visitor studies – in museums of art, architecture, and design.

Learning for All: Tailored Museum Programs for Diverse Audiences at the Senckenberg Natural History Museum – Eva Roßmanith

Short Talk

Giving an insight into museum practice, this presentation introduces special educational programs developed at the Senckenberg Natural History Museum. These programs are designed to reach audiences with diverse needs and backgrounds – from people with limited German language skills and young science enthusiasts to elderly visitors seeking social connection. The initiatives aim to inspire curiosity about nature, research, and museums while fostering dialogue between visitors and experts. Through tailored approaches and inclusive learning formats, the museum strives to make natural science accessible, trustworthy, and meaningful for everyone, encouraging participation and lifelong learning across all parts of society.

Eva Roßmanith is Head of the Education Department (since 2013) and Acting Head of the Senckenberg Natural History Museum. With a background in biology, her work centers on fostering dialogue between scientists and museum visitors to build trust in science, create inclusive programs for diverse audiences, and contribute to societal transformation processes.