As part of the consultation on a new Code of Ethics for museums, the Museums Association has received a wealth of thoughtful reflection about what ethical practice in the sector can and should be.
There has been broad agreement on the key principles of a new code: our practice should be equitable and inclusive, transparent and accountable, and responsible and sustainable. The code will use these principles to set out what ethical practice might look like for a range of museums.
The ethics committee and review working group are now considering all the feedback from the consultation and working with sector bodies and networks to draft a code that we hope will be aspirational and will inspire best practice in museums. We also need a code that will be flexible and responsive to social, cultural, political and technological shifts.
The code should also allow for flexibility, in order to consider the specific circumstances of a museum and its local context, while making it clear that some behaviours are unacceptable because they undermine public trust in the sector.For museums of all sizes, ethical practice should be a process of reflection, discussion and action. As always, the ethics committee will be there to support you in your decision making.
India Divers is the Museums Association’s policy officer
