Museum Studies Network Conversations

This page provides links to videos and resources that are part of our MSN Conversations series.

Recordings (oldest appear first)

Museum Studies Network Inaugural Online Gathering: MSN Shelfie

View a recording of “MSN SHELFIE,” the inaugural online gathering from American Alliance of Museum (AAM)’s Museum Studies Network held on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Moderator Juilee Decker and panelists—Tory Schendel Cox, Kiersten F. Latham, Steven Lubar, and Susan Spero—shared museum studies resources, including but not limited to, books and other traditional publications, as well as other resources such as blogs and websites. A complete list of resources mentioned by the panelists and audience participants is available here.

MSN Shelfie #2, May 20, 2020

View a recording of “MSN SHELFIE #2” presented by American Alliance of Museum (AAM)’s Museum Studies Network on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Moderator Laura-Edythe Coleman and our panelists— Melanie Adams, Dina Bailey, Mike Murawski, and Richard Urban—shared their picks for “Leadership Books for Highs and Lows.” A complete list of resources mentioned by the panelists is available here.

MSN Conversation #3 October 28, 2020

View a recording of MSN’s third conversation presented by American Alliance of Museum (AAM)’s Museum Studies Network on Wednesday, October 28, 2020. MSN’s Juilee Decker and organizers Chelsea Haines and Jennifer Kingsley convened the conversations focused on two timely issues facing museums: questions of censorship and self-censorship, and current calls and open letters for museum accountability. Through breakout sessions, attendees discussed how the museum studies curriculum can prepare students to critically manage, assess, and prevail over institutional hurdles and build a more collaborative and transparent environment for all. At a moment when museums face challenges from all sides, what are the major obstacles to systemic change in museums today, and how can they be navigated and overcome? How can museum studies programs help students build skills for resiliency during periods of institutional instability and transformation? This is the third in a series of conversations that aim to engage university and museum-based professionals in analyzing, reflecting, and rejuvenating museum studies curricula to prepare students to be effective change agents in museums.

Click here for the resources for Topic 1 and Topic 2, prepared by MSN.