Call for papers: Reimagining Research Conference 2027

As cities face unprecedented social, environmental and political challenges, museums must critically reflect on and expand their research practices to remain relevant and responsive.

Centred around this idea, we're partnering with University of Westminster and the International Committee for the Collections and Activities of Museums of Cities, International Council of Museums (ICOM CITIES) to host a two-day conference on 28–29 January 2027 at London Museum Docklands.

The Reimagining Research Conference will examine the intersection of museum and urban spaces across varied disciplines and sectors. It will explore how that research connects to the social, spatial and political life of cities today.

By positioning city museums as sites of urban knowledge production, the conference aims to challenge conventional understandings of museum research. We ask: How do city museums act as generators of and platforms for urban inquiry? And how can they cultivate research practices that respond to complex urban challenges, while maintaining rigorous scholarly and professional standards?

We invite submissions from museum professionals, academics, policymakers and community engagement practitioners to contribute papers addressing the key conference themes.

Deadline for abstracts: 1 September 2026

Selected speakers will be notified in early October 2026.

As part of the discourse, we seek to explore how city museums can:

• develop innovative and context-sensitive research methodologies
• engage with complex urban realities and multiple knowledge systems
• collaborate with researchers, communities, and policymakers to reflect rapidly changing urban environments
• actively contribute to civic and intellectual life

We welcome contributions addressing one or more of these key themes:

• The role of city museums in research ecologies
• Expanding the definition of research in city museums
• Research in city museums as drivers of social change

We encourage submissions from:

• Museum professionals of any specialism and at all stages of their career
• Scholars and academics whose work intersects with museum practice and urban studies
• Heritage and cultural policymakers
• Community engagement practitioners working across cultural and urban contexts

• Abstracts of 250–300 words
• Names and institutions of all presenters
• Short bio (100 words)
• Indicate whether this is a paper, panel or roundtable

Please see full details and information on how to apply by 1 September 2026 on the ICOM CITIES website.

Full conference programme announcement and registration will open mid-October 2026.

For any questions about the conference, please email [email protected]