Why Collect Science?

In this critical assessment of the 'museology of science' I cherry-pick recent scholarship and practice to unpack the functions of science collections. Some practices (exhibition, engagement, study) have already attracted considerable attention, others not yet (storage); but all tend to be...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of conservation & museum studies Vol. 15; no. 1
Main Author:	Alberti, Samuel J M M
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Ubiquity Press Ltd 06-12-2017 Ubiquity Press
Subjects:	Exhibitions materiality Museums science and technology museums science engagement Science museums storage Scotland
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	In this critical assessment of the 'museology of science' I cherry-pick recent scholarship and practice to unpack the functions of science collections. Some practices (exhibition, engagement, study) have already attracted considerable attention, others not yet (storage); but all tend to be considered separately as case studies from particular institutions and for particular disciplinary audiences. Juxtaposing different reasons to collect reveals both the tensions inherent in science collections and the opportunities these collections afford, especially around their materiality. This is why we have collected science, and why we should continue. Keywords: exhibitions, materiality, research, science engagement, science and technology museums, storage
ISSN:	1364-0429 2049-4572 1364-0429
DOI:	10.5334/jcms.150