Search Results (152)

This study examines how a visitor-centered approach enhances engagement, participation, and intangible heritage transmission to support cultural sustainability in ethnographic museums. We conducted online and on-site behavioral observations, questionnaire surveys, and in-depth interviews at the She Ethnic Minority Museum to identify gaps in current visitor experience design. We combined the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with the Contextual Model of Learning (POE) and Emotional Experience Theory (EET) to develop a hierarchical evaluation model. The model comprises one goal layer, three criterion layers (Experience, Participation, Transmission), and twelve sub-criteria, each evaluated across People, Object, and Environment dimensions. Quantitative weighting revealed that participation exerts the greatest influence, followed by transmission and experience. Findings indicate that targeted interventions promoting active participation most effectively foster emotional resonance and heritage transmission, while strategies supporting intergenerational engagement and immersive experiences also play a significant role. We recommend prioritizing small-scale, low-cost participatory initiatives and integrating online and offline community engagement to establish a participatory chain where engagement leads to meaningful experiences and sustained cultural transmission. These insights offer practical guidance for museum practitioners and policymakers seeking to enhance visitor experiences and ensure the long-term preservation and vibrancy of ethnic minority cultural heritage. Full article

This paper presents the ReInHerit Toolkit, a collection of open-source interactive applications developed as part of the H2020 ReInHerit project. Informed by extensive surveys and focus groups with cultural professionals across Europe, the toolkit addresses key needs in the heritage sector by leveraging computer vision and artificial intelligence to enrich museum experiences through engaging, personalized interactions that enhance visitor learning. Designed to bridge the technology gap between larger institutions and smaller organizations, the ReInHerit Toolkit also promotes a sustainable, people-centered approach to digital innovation, supported by shared resources, training, and collaborative development opportunities accessible through the project’s Digital Hub. Full article

As digital technology evolves rapidly, smart tourism has become a significant trend in the modernization of the industry, relying on advanced tools like big data and cloud computing to improve travelers’ experiences. Despite the growing use of human–computer interaction in museums, there remains a lack of in-depth academic investigation into its impact on visitors’ behavioral intentions regarding museum engagement. This paper employs Cognitive Appraisal Theory, considers human–computer interaction experience as the independent variable, and introduces destination image and satisfaction as mediators to examine their impact on destination loyalty. Based on a survey of 537 participants, the research shows that human–computer interaction experience has a significant positive impact on destination image, satisfaction, and loyalty. Destination image and satisfaction play a partial and sequential mediating role in this relationship. This paper explores the influence mechanism of human–computer interaction experience on destination loyalty and proposes practical interactive solutions for museums, aiming to offer insights for smart tourism research and practice. Full article

In this paper, we consider the concept of global digital citizenship, particularly as it applies to museums and cultural heritage sectors. In this perspective survey study, we explore current examples of how museums can adjust to the tenets of global digital citizenship that are necessary to navigate and participate in increasingly interconnected digital worlds and to collectively address global challenges. This paper provides a qualitative survey and discussion covering issues concerning open foundations, knowledge co-creation, digital equity and inclusion, and participatory innovation. In conclusion, there are untapped opportunities for museums (e.g., through audience participation and digital tools, especially with recent developments in artificial intelligence), but also constraints that must be considered (e.g., lack of funding, digital inequality, and ethical issues related to the use of AI). Full article

The preservation of historical monuments is vital, especially in societies that do not have a rich written history. One method to ensure the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage is to reuse abandoned historical buildings. “On-site documentation” is fundamental for effective adaptive reuse. During this process, the plans and construction phases of many historical buildings are obtained for the first time. This study goes beyond theoretical boundaries and focuses on approaching the documentation, evaluation, reuse and preservation of cultural heritage from an operational perspective. The historical building in question was built as a primary school by Armenian craftsmen at the end of the 19th century in the town of Zara, Sivas. After changing hands, it became a mansion and is currently abandoned. This study discusses and proposes the buildings’ reuse as an urban memory museum by means of CAD-supported on-site analytical surveys based on classical, laser, and total station measurements. Full article

In the 19th century, the British archaeologist Sir Alexander Cunningham identified the remains of an unidentified Buddhist monastery at Jamāl Gaṛhī, an ancient site located approximately 13 km from present-day Mardān, Pakistan. Subsequent excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India between 1920 and 1921 unearthed a schist inscription dated to the year “359”. Heinrich Lüders, the renowned German Indologist and epigraphist, attributed this inscription to the Dharmaguptaka sect/school. Despite this early attribution, the Monastery’s precise sectarian characteristics have remained largely unexplored in later scholarship. This article reevaluates the site’s sectarian identity by employing a “ground-to-text” methodology that integrates archaeological evidence with textual analysis, with a particular focus on the Chinese translation of the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya. Through this comparative framework, this study seeks to elucidate the religious ideas reflected in the site’s material culture and their relationship with Dharmaguptaka disciplinary thought. The analysis encompasses the architectural remnants of the stūpa excavated by Cunningham and the “Fasting Buddha” statuary, now preserved in the National Museum of Pakistan, the British Museum, and other sites, situating these artifacts within the distinctive visual and contemplative traditions linked to the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya. By integrating architectural, sculptural, textual, and epigraphic materials, this article provides a nuanced understanding of sectarian developments at Jamāl Gaṛhī and argues that an explicit emphasis on the ‘Middle Way’ ideology constituted a defining feature of the Dharmaguptaka tradition during this period. Full article

In this study, we developed a game related to Palaeoloxodon huaihoensis to enhance public interest in learning about its ecology. The game integrates education and entertainment elements at four interactive levels “See Sea Bones,” “Assembling Organs,” “Bacterias Cleaner,” and “Painting Elephant” to allow players to explore the fossil structure, internal organs, and historical background of Palaeoloxodon huaihoensis. In the design process, we incorporated the design–play–experience framework and the gameplay–purpose–scope (GPS) model to balance entertainment and education. To evaluate the effectiveness of the developed game, a questionnaire survey on a Likert scale was conducted with 180 participants visiting the National Museum of Natural Science, Taiwan. The results indicated that the majority of the players were satisfied with the game’s design and content, particularly in terms of its ability to stimulate creativity. This research demonstrated the potential of games in museum education and provides insights for future optimization. Full article

This study proposes a dual-level analytical approach to observing human–robot interactions in a real-world public setting, specifically a science museum. Observation plays a crucial role in human–robot interaction research by enabling the capture of nuanced and context-sensitive behaviors that are often missed by post-interaction surveys or controlled laboratory experiments. Public environments such as museums pose particular challenges due to their dynamic and open-ended nature, requiring methodological approaches that balance ecological validity with analytical rigor. To address these challenges, we introduce a dual-level approach for behavioral observation, integrating statistical analysis across demographic groups with time-series modeling of individual engagement dynamics. At the group level, we analyzed engagement patterns based on age and gender, revealing significantly higher interaction levels among children and adolescents compared to adults. At the individual level, we employed temporal behavioral analysis using a Hidden Markov Model to identify sequential engagement states—low, moderate, and high—derived from time-series behavioral patterns. This approach offers both broad and detailed insights into visitor engagement, providing actionable implications for designing adaptive and socially engaging robot behaviors in complex public environments. Furthermore, it can facilitate the analysis of social robot interactions in everyday contexts and contribute to building a practical foundation for their implementation in real-world settings. Full article

This study investigates the potential of reality-based 3D digital modeling, acquired for scientific purposes, to enhance the understanding and accessibility of ballistic imprints on Pompeii’s city walls. These impact marks, attributed to the Sullan siege of 89 BC, were caused by projectiles launched by Roman elastic torsion weapons. High-resolution models were acquired through integrated 3D survey techniques to create both virtual and physical replicas. These assets enhance museum accessibility, offering interactive digital content and tactile 3D-printed replicas for visually impaired and mobility-restricted visitors. The findings highlight the role of digital heritage in archaeological research, conservation, and public engagement, bridging the gap between academic study and inclusive cultural dissemination. Full article

Giant clams are ecologically important coral reef animals, with many species facing imminent local extinction. While many regions have undertaken recent assessments of their biodiversity assets, persistent gaps remain even in otherwise well-surveyed areas. This study sought to understand the geographic distribution of smaller-bodied and morphologically similar giant clams, specifically Tridacna maxima and T. noae, in the eastern Indian Ocean. Due to the difficulties in reliably identifying these species using morphological characters, we confirmed species identity and investigated intraspecific variation using sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene (COI). Seventy whole animal vouchers were newly sampled from a 1500 km span of remote northwestern Australian coastline over a decade, as part of an ongoing coral reef survey expedition of the Western Australian Museum and partners. Tridacna maxima had a limited distribution and was only genotyped from offshore oceanic reefs in the Rowley Shoals and Cocos Keeling Islands. In contrast, T. noae was well established beyond Ningaloo Reef, and was abundant at inshore sites throughout the Pilbara and Kimberley, and even offshore to Ashmore Reef. Phylogeographically, T. maxima did not group with conspecifics from the Western Pacific Ocean, including the east coast of Australia, but instead clustered with individuals from Malaysia, China, Taiwan, and Indonesia; T. noae exhibited a similar pattern. The affinity of Western Australian individuals with representatives from the Indo-Malay region and not eastern Australia will be an important consideration for these commercially important species. Novel haplotypes in both tested species occur in Western Australia. Continued sampling of eastern and central Indian Ocean giant clams, especially to continue to document the range of T. noae, is encouraged to understand connectivity in this basin. Together, these findings contribute to an improved baseline for conservation initiatives of these iconic coral reef animals in Western Australia. Full article

Cultural tourism can act as a driver for inner area development, bringing about a range of socio-economic benefits through economic stimulation, quality of life improvement, and cultural heritage preservation. Inner territories, set apart by geographic marginality and low population density, hold a rich cultural and environmental heritage that, however, remains off the radar and left behind. Guided by the principles of endogenous local development, this article seeks to contribute to the existing body of research by proposing potential strategies for local growth rooted in cultural tourism. From this perspective, we identified the Basilicata region (Southern Italy) as a proper test area. The region is rich in archaeological, monumental and museum evidence, but is characterized, except in a few areas, by a low rate of tourist turnout. Through a replicable, comprehensive, and flexible methodology—drawing on bibliographic research, analysis of archaeological, archival, erudite and antiquarian sources, and carrying out field surveys—the different points of interest in the region have been brought together under specific cultural themes. Results include the design of three detailed routes (Via Herculia, Frederick II’s, and St Michael’s cultural routes) useful for three different types of tourism (sustainable, emotional, and accessible). Possible scenarios for valorization and fruition are also proposed, paying particular attention to digital technologies. Thus, this research aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 and 11 promoting cultural heritage valorization and preservation, shoring up economic revitalization, stepping up community engagement, and pushing forward environmentally friendly tourism practices. Research findings can attract the interest of a wide range of stakeholders such as tourism professionals, local authorities, cultural and creative industries, local communities and entrepreneurs, as well as academics and researchers. The methodological approach can be considered for the valorization and tourist enjoyment of inner areas in other countries, with particular focus on those falling within the Mediterranean region which is rich in cultural heritage, environmental value, and socio-economic potential. Full article

In their evolution from conservation places of isolated resources to social spaces in service of communities, museums are increasingly called to express their representative character towards their originating territories. Furthermore, the museum’s mission has been gradually enriched with new, more complex functions towards local communities, through a call to actively confront with their contexts, a trend the recent pandemic events have only accelerated. Cultural heritage, with museums at the forefront, as an acknowledged driver of socioeconomic development, has manifold impacts on territories, which have been identified and investigated in the literature, often from a potential perspective. Given the strong territorial component of the museum heritage connection with its reference context, this study aims to investigate the contribution that mapping and GIS technologies, traditionally employed at the scale of single museum buildings, can offer in assessing the actual “living” presence of museums in the local socioeconomic and productive fabric, through the relationships with other reference entities in the territories and their outreach. Taking a sample with a marked nature of spatially ‘distributed’ heritage (archaeologic museums of the Puglia region, South Italy) as a case study, the article presents a mapped representation of a questionnaire-based survey of museums’ recent territorial relationships. The twofold outcomes of the study show, on the one hand, that the investigated sample still experiences criticalities in fully expressing and communicating its potentialities and values in the current scenario and, on the other hand, that mapping technologies can concretely contribute to the museum sector’s innovation by examining its territorial relationships, in line with the current conceptual evolution, also with possible implications on museums’ quality assessment. Full article

Most museum collections are not displayed since they are held in storage, out of visitors’ reach. However, little is known about the size of stored collections, how they are used, and to what extent museums enhance their accessibility in New Zealand museums. This study aims to provide an overview of the size of stored collections, the strategies adopted by museums, and how these solutions impact the accessibility of stored collections in museums in New Zealand. Data were gathered through a survey sent to the New Zealand office of ICOM and direct invitations to museums between December 2020 and January 2021. Respondents represented different museums’ legal statuses, sizes, and collections. The results show that 84% of collections are held in storage. Strategies such as the rotation of items enabled museums to use 28% of stored collections. In comparison, 18% of stored items were used through loans and 17% through exchanges, making them accessible to everyone. Specifically, it was found that the most effective strategies in terms of accessibility are visible storage, with 55% usability of stored collections, and the digitisation of collections, with 41%. These findings indicate that factors such as different legal statuses of museums, sizes, and types of collections, might impact the use of stored collections. Full article

Museums play a vital role in preserving heritage and facilitating learning through exhibits. However, fostering meaningful visitor engagement remains a challenge. This study aims to analyze visitor interactions and behaviors at the National Museum of Bahrain to understand how exhibit design influences engagement. The research objectives include identifying spatial and exhibit-related factors affecting visitor interaction and proposing strategies to enhance engagement. A case study approach was employed, utilizing an online survey, visitor tracking, interviews, and spatial observations as they provide comprehensive insights into visitor behavior, spatial engagement, and exhibit effectiveness. Tracking recorded movement patterns, time spent at exhibits, and engagement levels, identifying areas of high and low interaction. Observations analyzed spatial configurations, while interviews provided insights into visitor experiences and preferences. Findings indicate that exhibit layout, accessibility, and content relevance significantly influence engagement, with certain exhibits attracting more interaction due to strategic positioning. The study identifies key design elements that enhance visitor exploration and proposes recommendations for optimizing exhibit arrangements to create immersive and educational experiences. These insights help museum authorities identify spatial and exhibit-related shortcomings. The study offers recommendations to curators to refine the designs of the exhibits and the layouts, promoting more meaningful connections with the exhibits and thereby improving the experiences of the visitors to demonstrate the importance of visitor-focused designs in museums. Full article

A global survey was conducted in 2022 with the aim of identifying what professionals in the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) expect from collection-based organisations (CBOs) and what their contribution to their preservation, management, and/or use could be. A total of 151 responses were obtained from the five UNESCO regions, the majority of whom were between 31 and 50 years of age, which is convenient when analysing the responses as they are active and belong to different creative sectors. The results are very positive, demonstrating that museum collections are didactic materials through which design students and CCI stakeholders learn to approach the past critically and creatively, create meaning, and co-create their future heritage. Likewise, the alliance of CBOs with the SDGs represents a key tool to experiment with and call for action to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda. The results enable CCIs to identify and bridge gaps in their role as creative developers, strengthening their collaboration with heritage organisations. This paper aims to show the results of the survey and the first actions aimed at developing meaningful, inclusive arts- and culture-based interventions to support sustainable development. Full article