Natalie Heidaripour
Thesis Title (PhD)
MUSEUMS MAKING PEACE: THE ROLE AND IMPACT OF MUSEUMS ON PEACEBUILDING AND COMMUNITY COHESION FOLLOWING CONFLICT
This project involves an in-depth investigation of the role and impact museums can have on peacebuilding, increased understanding and community cohesion.
The perceived role of museums has changed considerably, with many now advocating the role of the museum as activist (Sandell and Janes, 2019) and agents of social change. The basis for this role, although debated, is rooted in the potential power of museums as institutions to reflect and construct identity, advocating historical narratives and reflecting community memory. This project will explore the impact of museums on cultural memory, remembrance and community identity and examine the role these factors can play in peacebuilding.
The importance of museums in promoting peace and in peace education is advocated by many involved in this area of work. (Van den Dungen and Yamane, 2015). My own curatorial experience has demonstrated first-hand the potential significance of exploring these narratives in a museum context for survivors of conflict and those working for peace. This project aims to move beyond exploring aims and activity to also focus on ways to meaningfully measure and understand impact on attitude and behaviour, providing scope for disseminating effective methods within the sector.