Special Topics in Museum Studies: Equity, Empathy and Ethics in Digital Heritage Research and Practice

This course (MSL2305H – Special Topics in Museum Studies: Equity, Empathy and Ethics in Digital Heritage Research and Practice) is designed for emerging GLAM professionals seeking to create and contribute to digital heritage projects in the GLAM sector that actively integrate ethical commitments, pursue equity, and build and express empathy. As digital projects are increasingly turned to as a means to broaden accessibility, expand audience engagement, and manage born-digital cultural objects, GLAM professionals require complex understandings of the ways digital tools, digital objects, practices and workflows can be utilized in ways that enact or compromise an institution’s ethical commitments – and in particular, an institution’s commitments to equity and the building of empathy between citizens (both local and global). This course focuses on current research, case studies, and a partnership between Toronto and Manchester to inspire students to deconstruct and construct digital heritage tools, objects, spaces, workflows and practices in ways that express ethical commitments, a value for equity, and a desire for empathy.