Shaping Transformation. ­University Collections in a Changing World

University collections are among the great cultural treasures in Germany, Europe and worldwide. Their vast potential, still untapped in many cases, has begun to catch the attention of the international research community. Furthermore, due to their unique position at the intersection of research, teaching and society, university collections often find themselves at the centre of far-reaching processes of transformation, facing challenges as well as opportunities.

From September 24th to 29th, 2024, the Office for Academic Heritage, Scientific and Art Collections at TUD Dresden University of Technology welcomed academic heritage experts from all over the world in the capital of Saxony. For the first time, ICOM-UMAC (Committee for University Museums and Collections of the International Council of Museums) and the European Academic Heritage Network UNIVERSEUM, two of the major international professional associations for university collections and academic heritage, came together for a joint annual meeting on site.

The conference, titled "Shaping Transformation. University Collections in a Changing World”, saw professionals from a variety of backgrounds coming together to examine the impact of transformation processes on university collections and academic heritage, discuss urgent questions and present new approaches to pressing challenges.

We thank all participants for this extraordinary week!

The conference will be held under the patronage of the Minister President of the Free State of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer.