Jim Richardson

The Swedish Museum of Natural History in Stockholm is a beloved institution, known for its extensive collections and educational exhibits that bring the wonders of the natural world to life. However, in August 2023, an unexpected crisis forced the museum to close its doors: a section of the inner roof collapsed, revealing the need for extensive renovations. This sudden closure left a void not just in the museum's schedule but in the hearts of its many visitors, especially children. Yet, from this challenge emerged an innovative solution that would take the museum into uncharted territory—a pop-up museum in an unlikely location: Sweden's largest shopping mall, Westfield Mall of Scandinavia.

August 27 2024 By Jim Richardson Over the past three years, National Museums Northern Ireland (NI) has embarked on an innovative

To begin, two recent stories I’ve experienced about the (non-linear, unpredictable, anything but simple) relationship between children and youth with AI in the museum context...

Vikkie Mulford, the Digital and Public Engagement Officer at Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, recently shared insights into the Trust's innovative approach to using digitised collections to enhance audience engagement. In her MuseumNext presentation, she outlined practical strategies that have broadened the appeal of the Dockyard's collections, particularly during the challenging times of the pandemic.

What happens when you combine the intrigue of a secret society with the treasures of one of the world's most famous museums?

Museums worldwide face a common challenge: attracting younger audiences who often perceive these institutions as outdated or irrelevant.

September 05 2024 By Jim Richardson How can a museum visit be just as captivating online as in person?

The National Museum of the Royal Navy is taking bold steps with the use of artificial intelligence to enhance the way it manages, preserves, and makes its collections accessible. Through a collaboration with the University of Southampton's CORMSIS department, the museum has embarked on a series of innovative projects designed to streamline collections management and improve public access to its vast archive of historical data. As the heritage sector increasingly looks to technology for solutions, the museum's forward-thinking approach serves as an example of how AI can transform the management of museum collections.

What happens when history meets technology? At the Asian Civilizations Museum (ACM) in Singapore, a friendly digital dog named Solo is leading a new wave of engagement that's redefining how visitors interact with museum exhibits. The “Adventures with Solo” digital trail, introduced during the 2023 special exhibition “Manila Galleon: From Asia to the Americas,” combines gamification with cultural education to create a uniquely immersive visitor experience.

To the editor: Debating whether ranked choice voting is good, bad or indifferent based on only one voting cycle does not give adequate information to decide whether to continue with it.