Helen Rees Leahy director, Centre for Museology, Manchester University
"Of course the MA conference is a talking shop. The question is whether the conversation is enlightening, useful or even entertaining.
Occasionally it is, but too many speakers use the platform to promote their own work. Case-study presentations are rarely self-critical and, without a culture of robust peer review, there is little real debate about evidence-based research and practice.
People are remarkably reluctant to critique each other's work in public. Given the successes of museums in recent years, why are institutional egos still so fragile? Last year's withdrawal of the session on the commemoration of the abolition of the slave trade was a case in point. Let's hope that this year's conference doesn't suffer from a similar loss of nerve."
Karen Hassall education assistant, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston
"I have never been to the MA conference but I have an image of it being attended mostly by senior managers and feel a little intimidated by it as a new entrant in a junior position.
I'm not sure the conference influences the way people go about their jobs on a daily basis. There seem to be lots of speakers, which suggests a lot of listening but not much opportunity to share opinions and engage in discussion, something I enjoyed and found worthwhile at the MA's New Entrants conference earlier this year. I look forward to hearing my colleague's opinions, which may encourage me to attend in the future."
Peter Stott principal officer heritage and learning, Falkirk
"There is inevitably the air of a party conference. A few days of vocational re-enforcement, fuelled by lots of alcohol, give way in the journey from the conference venue to the inexorable reality of next morning's inbox.
But amongst the self-indulgence and beneath the protective layers of professional siblinghood, look out for the opinions of heretics or gate-crashing outsiders, because conference is also about debate and rethinking what museums are for, and why they exist at all. This year's conference has a subject of fundamental importance to frame the provocation - sustainability.
Of course conference is a talking shop, because talking is necessary for exchanging ideas and developing understanding."
Cathy Ross head of later London department, Museum of London
"Is the MA conference just a talking shop? No. It's a Zen journey of self-discovery through thickets of confusion and the odd light-bulb moment.
Conference is supposed to be about meeting other people, but self-identity is the real conference theme. Is this really my professional peer group? Why don't I know more people? Is he/she mad?
The question that leads to enlightenment is 'Am I, honestly, that interested in museums?' The law is that everyone has to think this thought at some point over the three days, and reflecting on it is part of the Zen journey.
Conference can make people very angry. Reputedly, it makes some people very happy. But it is definitely good for our souls."
"Of course the MA conference is a talking shop. The question is whether the conversation is enlightening, useful or even entertaining.
Occasionally it is, but too many speakers use the platform to promote their own work. Case-study presentations are rarely self-critical and, without a culture of robust peer review, there is little real debate about evidence-based research and practice.
People are remarkably reluctant to critique each other's work in public. Given the successes of museums in recent years, why are institutional egos still so fragile? Last year's withdrawal of the session on the commemoration of the abolition of the slave trade was a case in point. Let's hope that this year's conference doesn't suffer from a similar loss of nerve."
Karen Hassall education assistant, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston
"I have never been to the MA conference but I have an image of it being attended mostly by senior managers and feel a little intimidated by it as a new entrant in a junior position.
I'm not sure the conference influences the way people go about their jobs on a daily basis. There seem to be lots of speakers, which suggests a lot of listening but not much opportunity to share opinions and engage in discussion, something I enjoyed and found worthwhile at the MA's New Entrants conference earlier this year. I look forward to hearing my colleague's opinions, which may encourage me to attend in the future."
Peter Stott principal officer heritage and learning, Falkirk
"There is inevitably the air of a party conference. A few days of vocational re-enforcement, fuelled by lots of alcohol, give way in the journey from the conference venue to the inexorable reality of next morning's inbox.
But amongst the self-indulgence and beneath the protective layers of professional siblinghood, look out for the opinions of heretics or gate-crashing outsiders, because conference is also about debate and rethinking what museums are for, and why they exist at all. This year's conference has a subject of fundamental importance to frame the provocation - sustainability.
Of course conference is a talking shop, because talking is necessary for exchanging ideas and developing understanding."
Cathy Ross head of later London department, Museum of London
"Is the MA conference just a talking shop? No. It's a Zen journey of self-discovery through thickets of confusion and the odd light-bulb moment.
Conference is supposed to be about meeting other people, but self-identity is the real conference theme. Is this really my professional peer group? Why don't I know more people? Is he/she mad?
The question that leads to enlightenment is 'Am I, honestly, that interested in museums?' The law is that everyone has to think this thought at some point over the three days, and reflecting on it is part of the Zen journey.
Conference can make people very angry. Reputedly, it makes some people very happy. But it is definitely good for our souls."
