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Call for Papers - Social History in Museums, Vol 45

CALL FOR PAPERS – Social History in Museums, Volume 45 – to be published Spring 2021

To say 2020 has been an unusual year would be a significant understatement. But it would equally be wrong to suggest it has been the same for everyone. Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March, most British museums have been closed and their staff have been working from home, or been furloughed, or have lost their jobs. Museums’ financial struggles of the last few years have been underlined and exacerbated. Following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May, conversations which were simmering about the racism and colonial legacies in our institutions have become more insistent, with demands for wholesale change becoming louder and more insistent.

With all this in mind, articles are now being sought for the next issue of Social History in Museums, the SHCG journal, to be published in Spring 2021. Our theme is ‘2020 – outcomes and opportunities’ We would like to see contributions reflecting on the impact of this year’s events on the many aspects of social history in museums. This might relate, but is not restricted, to:

  • acquisitions and collecting
  • changes in working practice
  • confronting racism and colonialism in museums and British society
  • new initiatives to engage with audiences
  • how planned events/projects have ceased, changed or developed
  • whether or not this year has been a wholly negative experience for institutions and the sector
  • what we can learn from similar events in the past

Please contact the Journal Editor if you would like any further information or intend to submit an article.

Abstracts of no more than 200 words should be submitted to the Journal Editor by Wednesday 30th September. When submitting your abstract, include your name, contact details, job title and institution (where relevant).

If your abstract is accepted for publication, the deadline for submission of first drafts to the Editor will be Friday 30th October. Please refer to the Guidance for Contributors for referencing and style guidelines.