In view of the 23rd IMISCOE annual conference to be held on 29 June - 2 July 2026 in Girona and online on the topic of “Strengthening Migration studies through community engagement”, we are gathering participants for the workshop proposal below on “Migration related museums and their role in spreading knowledge and fostering community engagement”.
Workshop Organiser: Alice Clarebout (
Deadline for expression of interest: Tuesday 16 September 2025
Workshop abstract:
Museums have undergone considerable transformations over time, adapting to new ways in which visitors interact with knowledge, heritage, and the arts. They now occupy multiple and evolving roles within society, shaped by their topic, their diverse targeted audiences, and the political structures and doctrines that condition their existence. Migration museums in particular are spaces where narratives of mobilities intersect with public memory and collective identity. As such, they hold the potential not only to disseminate knowledge coming from migration studies but also to actively foster community engagement and social dialogue.
This workshop invites both academics and museum professionals to reflect on the civic role of migration museums and their capacity to offer alternative narratives to the polarized or reductive portrayals of migration found in political and media discourses. This may include reflections on museums and exhibitions that deal with any issue related to migration, whether internal migration or international immigration and/or emigration, issues of diversity, multiculturalism, racism, etc.
Reflecting the conference theme, this workshop aims to explore how migration scholars and cultural institutions such as museums question their responsibility in defining the multiple issues related to migration, can engage with communities, participate in actions that contribute to solving social problems, build bridges and contribute to building a more equitable society through the dissemination of knowledge and the promotion of testimonials and artistic works. By bringing together diverse perspectives, this workshop aims to highlight how museums dedicated to migration can act as catalysts for knowledge, civic participation and social transformation.
Please share your interest to the workshop organiser (