Leading and developing a diverse workforce

In response to the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the need to dismantle white supremacy in GLAM (gallery, library, archive and museum) institutions and performing arts sectors, this autumn we are running a series of three symposia targeted at decolonising archives and leading, managing and interpreting diverse collections.

For the third symposium in this series, we will be joined by Black Cultural Archives to consider how organisations have managed change in their structures and practices to allow more diverse voices. We will also explore the challenges and opportunities these organisations have experienced.

Our roles as memory workers require us to take special responsibility to educate ourselves on the issues on the systems of oppression that exist, historically and how we as heritage professionals continue to be complicit in them.

At each symposia of the three symposia, we have welcomed two or three speakers from the wider GLAM community to speak on these topics and share their expertise. We then open up conversation to a roundtable discussion, which is a safe space for attendees to share their experiences, thoughts and plans for change.