New Books Network Helen Graham, "Deconstituting Museums: Participation’s Affective Work" (UCL Press, 2024)
Jan 16, 2026
Helen Graham, an Associate Professor at the University of Leeds, dives into the transformative future of museums. She examines the museum constitution as a battleground for participation and governance. Graham highlights the tensions between conservation and accessibility, arguing for a shift towards self-representation. She introduces the concept of 'participatory worlding' and advocates for restorative practices within museum spaces, aiming to create environments that acknowledge conflict and trauma while encouraging meaningful engagement.
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From Access Work To Participatory Facilitation
- Helen Graham describes moving from access work to facilitating participatory projects in museums over many years.
- She felt participation was emotionally intense and repeatedly encountered painful, conflictual situations that prompted her inquiry.
Participation As Direct Democracy
- Graham defines participation as involving non-staff in museum work and links it to direct or participatory democracy.
- She argues participation requires openness to being affected and horizontal, networked forms of governance.
Museum Constitution Concept
- Graham introduces 'museum constitution' as an ideological formulation that museums mobilize.
- It typically combines conservation, access, representation, and claims of impact that staff must continually steward.
