The Visitor Studies Group

Out of the Comfort Zone:
Exploring Sensitive Issues

VSG AGM and Conference
British Museum, London
1st February 2007
10am - 4pm

This one day conference will focus on visitor research which examines sensitive issues and conflicting ideas. Such issues may include areas that are very private and personal and subjects that some might feel uncomfortable to discuss or researchers might find difficult to ask about. The conference will consider how sensitive areas can be explored in a meaningful and appropriate way. Through a variety of case-studies and practical advice it will seek answer to the following questions:

• How can general concerns and questions about difficult issues be dealt with?
• How can evaluation generate meaningful exchange among diverse people on sensitive issues?
• How can the values and agendas of differentiated audiences be researched with sensitivity, so that powerful relationships are forged, new voices are heard and new narratives are created?
• How can exploring sensitive issues provide opportunities for bringing people together so making institutions more inclusive and accessible? 

Who is it for?

Museum, cultural, and natural heritage professionals, audience researchers, students, and all those with an interest in how visitor research can inform interpretation and foster decision-making to the benefit of their institutions.

Benefits for the audience:

• Opportunities for learning to increase their confidence in approaching sensitive areas
• Practical guidelines for conducting their own research in the area of sensitive issues
• Improving their own practices through learning from others
• Expertise and examples through case-studies
• A forum for discussion in order to share ideas, thoughts, experiences and concerns
• Networking opportunities
• A post-event online discussion forum through the VSG website

Programme

10-10.30 Registration and Coffee
10.30-10.45 Welcome: Nicky Boyd, VSG Chair
10.45 -11.15 Jim Broughton, Head of Interpretation, British Museum
11.15-11.45 Julia Cassim, Senior Research Fellow, Royal College of Art
11.45-12.15 Michelle Foggett, New Audience Advocate, Science Museum
12.15 -12.30 Further questions
12.30-12.45 Presentation of VSG website, Jenni Fuchs, VSG Committee Member
12.45-13.00 AGM, Constitution and new Committee
13.00-14.15 LUNCH
14.15- 14.45 Frazer Swift, Head of Learning, Museum of London and Museum in Docklands
14.45 -15.15pm Claire Jacques, Community Engagement Manager, Lincolnshire County Council Culture and Adult Education
15.15-15.30pm Further questions
15.30-16.00pm Panel Discussion
16.00pm Closure

Downloads of presentations from this event are available to fully subscribed VSG members in the members resources section of this site.