Guest Blog – Reflecting on Knowledge Exchange as a Driver of Impact

By Alina Botezatu

On the first day of May this year I had the joy to join the workshop Emotions in museum work, organised by Dr Jennie Morgan and Dr Anna Woodham, part of their project New futures of care: Investigating emotionally laden work in museums. Funding offered by Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), University of Stirling (UoS), and King’s College London (KCL) allowed me to support the event, focusing on recording the ideas shared by participants during the discussions, and their input related to the potential impact of the event.

The workshop offered me the chance to engage with two themes that I found highly meaningful in my own work on a PhD project that involves close collaboration with heritage and museum practitioners. Firstly, although not directly addressed through my research, I have noticed that the theme of work-related emotions features as a frequent topic of conversation with both researchers and professionals. The wealth of ideas discussed openly and enthusiastically during the workshop confirmed the relevance of the topic, expanded my understanding and provided points for further reflection.

Secondly, as a postgraduate researcher, I am interested in the notion of impact as a key feature of high-quality, valuable research. The workshop provided a practical context to reflect on how meaningful knowledge exchange works as a powerful driver of impact. Feedback comments showed that the workshop had enabled a genuine knowledge exchange process, in which participants felt empowered to share their ideas, and to engage with a “breadth of approaches to emotions in museums”, appreciating “such a range of views and ideas”.

Describing their motivations for attending, many participants revealed their anticipation to join a forum of “like-minded folks”, looking for dynamic, multidirectional communication: on one hand, the “opportunity to learn from others”, and on the other hand, the space to ”share [their] own knowledge and experience”. The workshop proposed a format that allowed elaborated individual provocations, followed by conversations, responding to these expectations: “I liked the fact that there were multiple ways to feedback/get involved – not just speaking in front of everyone!” Shifting away from an expert-led model, the workshop created a collaborative environment, described by the participants as “a safe space”, “an atmosphere of exchange and friendliness”.

Participants confirmed the conceptual impact of the event, talking about how this reshaped the way they think: “‘I will takeaway new ideas around the complexity of emotion from different job roles / perspectives”. Furthermore, some suggested that the workshop had an impact on the wider sector: “It felt like a moment in the sector as this subject comes to light!”.

For some, new ideas have already prompted new directions for action, shaping ongoing projects or planned developments, with the event identified as a driver of instrumental change: [the] “opportunity to rethink my own work, expand the scope of it to new audiences in new formats”. Others found themselves inspired to start acting, better equipped to be a driver of change: “I want to take some discussions back to my team & manager re emotional labour in our organisation”.

A prominent theme in the comments is “a sense of solidarity”, the meaningful connection between participants, excited that their interest in the value of emotions is shared by a wider group. Although discussions engaged with some difficult issues, participants appreciated “how hopeful the day was”. The optimism was reflected in the interest in the progress of the project. Moreover, taking change further towards capacity-building, participants asserted their interest in developing the creative potential of this emerging network of people – researchers and professionals – who care deeply, and who want to join their efforts towards a mindful engagement with ‘emotions in museum work’.

Joining this workshop has been a fulfilling experience, with so many opportunities to learn and reflect, generously offered by academics and professionals alike, enabled by the organisers. It was a joyful experience, and I was happy to see that confirmed by the attendees.

I am excited about the upcoming second workshop later this year, and to learn about the findings of the project in due course. At the same time, I look forward to finding out about the various ways in which participants in the event have channelled the impact of this workshop, in driving forward their valuable work foregrounding ‘emotions in museum work’.

Alina Botezatu is a postgraduate researcher at the University of Stirling. Since 2022 she has been working on a collaborative PhD with Historic Environment Scotland, funded by AHRC via the Scottish Cultural Consortium, under the working title “Probing beneath the surface: a research framework to access hidden stories, values and lives of the Trinity House and its object collection”.

Theme by the University of Stirling