University collections are among the great cultural treasures in Germany, Europe and worldwide. Due to their vast potential and their unique position at the intersection of research, teaching and society, they often find themselves at the centre of far-reaching processes of transformation, facing challenges as well as opportunities.

This year, the Office for Academic Heritage, Scientific and Art Collections at TUD Dresden University of Technology invites academic heritage experts from all over the world to the capital of Saxony to discuss these processes during a conference titled "Shaping Transformation. University Collections in a Changing World”. From September 24th to 29th, 2024, the Committee for University Museums and Collections des International Council of Museums (ICOM-UMAC) and the UNIVERSEUM European Academic Heritage Network , two of the major international professional associations for university collections and academic heritage, will come together for their first joint annual meeting on site.

Numerous colleagues from all over the world have responded to an invitation to submit paper proposals for this unique conference. An international committee consisting of high-profile colleagues has reviewed the submissions, and put together a rich and multi-faceted program.