How can museums and libraries in South Korea and the UK work towards inclusive digital transformation?
The pandemic exposed and exacerbated the divides in society. During those devastating days, digital access to culture became a lifeline, and then a necessity. We can never go back to how we were. Yet those unable to connect, for economic reasons or because of access needs, are still missing out on worlds of opportunity – and museums and libraries are missing out on audiences.
From February 2022 to July 2023, a cross-disciplinary network of colleagues in the UK and South Korea worked together to explore routes to digital transformation, in a project called the Inclusive Digital Museum, funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
This project took advantage of the two countries’ strengths in digital innovation and their cultural and creative industries to identify and consider themes and topics around digital inequality and the social responsibility of museums, libraries and heritage organisations in the digital age.
My former Science Museum colleague Theano Moussouri was principle investigator of the project, and she invited me to report on a series of three online workshops, and a final conference held in London, as well as helping develop the manifesto for digital inclusion below. It was a privilege to be part of this transnational project and event, which brought together experts from both countries.
The full report of the conference is available here: UK-S. Korea Inclusive Digital Museum Innovation report
as well as blogs on the three workshops:
- Technology, culture and ethics
- Digital engagement in galleries, libraries and museums
- Inclusive technology for vision impaired visitors
Unique international partnerships were established by the project between UCL Institute of Archaeology and the KAIST Games and Life Lab as well as museum and library partners. These long-term relationships will contribute to the ability of both countries to create a sustainable future for the digital economy and creative industry.
From my point of view as a creator of heritage interpretation, the conference and subject matter was of vital relevance, allowing new views of the challenges that many users face when accessing culture, alongside the opportunities (and threats) offered by digital technology.
It was also a chance to meet colleagues and researchers from national institutions in South Korea, and touch base with many friends from the sector who lead projects and institutions here in the UK.
