The value of the ‘undisciplined’: Critical Museum Studies

Abstract

This paper explores the discipline of Museum Studies considering its relationship to History. It addresses key differences between understandings of academic Museum Studies internationally, its distinction from museum practice, and interdisciplinary strengths. The paper is based on an extensive literature review, analysis, and reflections from 20 years of experience, both within the academic discipline of Museum Studies in the UK and of interdisciplinary, international, collaborative working across Europe. The paper argues that Critical Museum Studies as an ‘undisciplined’ or ‘disobedient’ academic field offers much of value for historians and those from other disciplines interested in understanding the role, influence and politics of museums, their impact on individuals and society. It also argues for the significance of Critical Museum Studies in offering diverse and rigorous means to analyse complex and contested uses of the past in, for and by contemporary society. The paper therefore contributes to the debates on the productive potential of interdisciplinarity for History, while emphasising the specific contributions of a critical Museum Studies, which are different from those of traditional Museum Studies, from studies of museums from other disciplines and from museum practice.

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