Ethics

Developing the understanding of ethical principles, practice and issues within the museum community

We produce the sector’s Code of Ethics and oversee the Ethics Committee. We have acted as the champion and guardian of UK museum ethics since the first Codes of Practice and Conduct were published in 1977.

AI and Ethics Expert Working Group

Meet the new group

We are delighted to announce the members of our new AI and Ethics Expert Working Group, who will work towards creating new resources and guidance to support the sector with ethical decision-making around AI.

Reflections on the Code of Ethics

A person walks down indoor stairs by large glass windows overlooking a river, bridges, and modern city buildings under a clear sky.

Changing times

Michael Terwey, chair of the MA Ethics Committee, shares how the new code responds to changes over the last decade

A person looks at a pencil drawing of a man in a suit sitting, his hand at his mouth

A commitment to anti-racism

Culture& CEO Errol Francis on why it’s important for the new code to commit to anti-racism

Two people stand and talk near a glass display case with a sculpture

Democratising collections

Chief executive of the Collections Trust David Gelsthorpe discusses how collections hold the key to museums’ power to change lives

Four people gather and talk at the MA's 2024 conference in Leeds

Working it out

Tamsin Russell, the MA's workforce development lead, discusses the importance of ethical practice in creating inclusive workplaces

People look at a variety of taxidermied animal heads

Beyond the transactional

Steph Scholten, director of the Hunterian, stresses the importance of ethical, people-centred return processes