Post-neutrality in Libraries, Archives and Museums
The project Post-neutrality in Libraries, Archives and Museums (LAMs) examines the ongoing transformation of LAMs from being understood as neutral cultural institutions to undertaking a more distinct and active position on certain societal issues.
Mielenosoitus Kansalaistorilla. ved Sipilä, Tuula - Helsinki City Museum, Finland - CC BY.
Libraries, archives and museums (LAMs) in Denmark, as well as in the rest of the Western world, are in the midst of a major transformation from being understood as neutral cultural institutions to undertaking a more distinct and active position on certain societal issues. Several LAM-institutions are concerned with contributing to a more inclusive society and drawing attention to past injustices. Simultaneously, LAMs are increasingly involved in solving new types of tasks in society, e.g. fighting climate change or engaging in issues of health and well-being.
The research project examines the ongoing transformation from different perspectives in order to create a conceptual framework that enables society to engage in more productive discussions and evaluations of the practices of cultural institutions.
Work package 1 Strategies and practices in LAMs
This WP examines the organizational dimension of post-neutrality.
RQ: What characterizes post-neutral strategies and practices in LAMs?
Expected outcome: Three international peer reviewed articles + one PhD dissertation
Anne Folke Henningsen (WP-leader), Nanna Kann-Rasmussen & PhD student Anna Arendse Thorsen
Work package 2 Societal relevance of libraries and museums
This WP examines the societal dimension of post-neutrality
RQ: How does post-neutrality affect the perceived relevance of libraries and museums within the broader societal context (the public)?
Expected outcome: Three international peer reviewed articles
Hans Dam Christensen (WP-leader) & Postdoc NN
Work package 3 Implications for funding in LAMs
This WP examines the financial dimension of post-neutrality.
RQ: How do public and private funding sources respond to post-neutrality in LAMs, and how might this impact financial support for their initiatives?
Expected outcome: Three international peer reviewed articles
Nanna Kann-Rasmussen (WP-leader) & postdoc NN
Work package 4 Establishing a framework for redefining the role and legitimacy of LAMs in the era of post-neutrality
This WP examines the institutional dimension of post-neutrality.
RQ: What does post-neutrality entail for the changing relationships between LAMs and society
Nanna Kann-Rasmussen (WP-leader), Hans Dam Christensen, Anne Folke Henningsen
- Trine Bille, Professor in cultural economics and cultural policy at Copenhagen Business School
- Lluís Bonet, Professor and Director of the Cultural Management Program of the University of Barcelona
- Andrew Flinn, Reader in Archival Studies, and Deputy Vice-Dean for Research at the University College London (UCL)
- Håkon Larsen, Professor of Library and Information Science at Oslo Metropolitan University
- 19 March 2025. The project hosted the second workshop of the emerging Nordic network Cultural Institutions and the Culture War (CICUW), where we discussed concepts of neutrality, social justice, tolerance, and democracy within the LAM-institutions.
- In April 2025, we established a Practice Advisory Board through an open call, consisting of 9 professionals from the archive, library, and museum sectors. The board will contribute with their professional expertise from the field and offer informed perspectives on the project's research questions. The first workshop will be on 24 June 2025 in Copenhagen.
- 3-5 June 2025. Project leader Nanna Kann-Ramussen will participate in the COLIS conference in Glasgow, where she will take part in a panel discussion titled "The Question of Neutrality in Library and Information Studies." Together with PhD and Associate Professor Casper Hvenegaard Rasmussen, she will present the paper "Neutrality versus Social Justice: A Democratic Perspective" (forthcoming in Information Research).
Researchers
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christensen, Hans Dam | Professor | +4535321325 | |
| Henningsen, Anne Folke | Associate Professor | +4551299011 | |
| Kann-Rasmussen, Nanna | Associate Professor | +4535321388 | |
| Thorsen, Anna Arendse | PhD Fellow | +4535324585 |
Funding
Funded by VELUX FONDEN's core group program (Project number VEL67752).
Project period: 2024 - 2028