ICOM Call for Papers: Museums and Local Development

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is preparing an issue of its journal Museum International on the theme "Museums and Local Development". All proposals submitted will be assessed for suitability and if chosen, the subsequent articles will go through a double-blind peer review process. The issue is expected to be published, in collaboration with Taylor & Francis/Routledge, in December 2019. A call for papers has recently been launched. The initiative builds on the recent publication of a Guide for Local Governments, Communities and Museums by ICOM and OECD. Now, the issue of Museum International aims to open the discussion to the broader international museum community by deepening the debate on the role of museums in fostering well-being and social sustainability in local communities. The objective is to consider what well-being means in different global contexts, and the role of museums therein: from developing collaborative strategies with the health care sector; to enhancing the collective good; to cultural sustainability  in biodiverse settings. Proposals taking a bottom-up approach to the topic through the inclusion of community voice will be particularly welcomed. The aim is also to represent all regions of the world in the discussion. Among the issues that could be addressed are the following aspects of local development:

• health and well-being
• community empowerment
• social inclusion and cohesion
• environment and climate change
• ethical development and economics
• entrepreneurship and innovation
• managing museums for local development
• local governments and museum policy

How to take part

Editors of the journal request abstracts of between 250 and 300 words, written in English, French or Spanish, which should be submitted by 11 April. Abstracts should include an introduction to the topic, a presentation of the key research question or critical issue, a description to the innovative approach, a reference to the methodology used and a short conclusion, as well as a selection of the references that will be cite. Contributions are made on a voluntary basis. For additional information, please visit https://icom.museum/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/110219_CFP_MI_LD_en.pdf