Ethics

I work in a museum. Amongst the junk mail I received through my letter-box at home one day was an evangelical Christian booklet. On the front cover was a photograph of the director of a national institution with a collection of world-wide repute.

The booklet reproduces the logo of his institution and contains an article by this man explaining how his professional knowledge and experience serves to confirm and deepen his Christian faith. Unless his institution has suddenly made the spreading of the Gospel central to its mission, isn't this deeply unethical?


You're quite right to express such strong misgivings. The code of ethics (2.13, 2.17) clearly states: 'Avoid being seen as representing the museum if speaking personally...' and 'refuse to draw on status or position at the museum, or the museum's resources, for personal gain or advancement without prior permission'.

It is dishonest for any employee to use the name of their museum as a platform for their personal beliefs - religious or otherwise. The governing body should examine how this particular booklet came to be published and ensure that there is in place a policy that explicitly prohibits any publication that subverts the purpose of the museum.