Impressions from the IE/NAI Interpretation Conference in Sweden

I spent this week at the joint Interpret Europe/National Association for Interpretation conference in Sweden. The conference theme was global citizenship, but probably due to my own interests, I ended up hearing mostly papers on stakeholder engagement [1]. Here are a few impressions and thoughts that I’ve had during the conference – no doubt I’ll … Continue reading Impressions from the IE/NAI Interpretation Conference in Sweden →

A Truly Democratic Model for Interpretation

Last week, I had a meeting with our Interpretation Stakeholder Group. We discussed the interpretive vision for a project to relocate and redevelop one of our museums. And what an interesting discussion it was! As always, the most inspiring comments came from people who aren’t interpreters. The first thing that struck me was just how … Continue reading A Truly Democratic Model for Interpretation →

Announcement: Registration open for “For Them and By Them: Involving Stakeholders and Communities in Interpretation” Conference

You may remember that I mentioned a few months ago that I am organising a conference at my site about involving stakeholders and communities in interpretation. I am pleased to announce that registration is now open. Spaces are limited, so if you're interested please register as soon as possible. This is a one-day conference that … Continue reading Announcement: Registration open for “For Them and By Them: Involving Stakeholders and Communities in Interpretation” Conference →

Interpretation is… a facilitated process

I have just recently submitted an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a project primarily (but not exclusively) aimed at young people at my current site. Last week, HLF asked me to clarify how creating a young people’s area in our historic park was intended to help young people to understand the heritage of … Continue reading Interpretation is… a facilitated process →

And this is what I mean by heritage, and interpretation (at my current site)

Last week, I had one of those exciting conversations with a colleague, which reminded me of why I’m doing what I’m doing. This particular colleague doesn’t have a background in heritage, and I was trying to explain to them what I wanted our interpretation to achieve at our site. In fact, so removed is their … Continue reading And this is what I mean by heritage, and interpretation (at my current site) →

Diverse Heritage Values – Feedback from Interpret Europe’s First International Conference

Today I guided a workshop at the first international conference of Interpret Europe in Freiburg, Germany. I built on a paper I presented last November at NAI’s National Workshop in Las Vegas. I was really keen to explore further with other professionals what to do about diverse, and particularly conflicting heritage values. The conversation we … Continue reading Diverse Heritage Values – Feedback from Interpret Europe’s First International Conference →

Interpretation: Technology of Power?

I get the impression that Bella Dicks wasn’t impressed by the work of the interpreters (and researchers) involved in the Rhondda Heritage Park. In her book Heritage, Place and Community her criticism effectively boils down to one point: interpreters commodify local knowledge to present a novelty attraction to outside visitors while the needs of the … Continue reading Interpretation: Technology of Power? →

Understanding stakeholders (and their view of significance)

Two weeks ago I presented a paper on stakeholders to the online conference of Interpretation Canada. I shared with delegates how I go about trying to understand the main stakeholders of a project. Step 1: Who are the main stakeholders? My first step is to identify who the main stakeholders are to begin with. I … Continue reading Understanding stakeholders (and their view of significance) →

Interpretation as a living social practice

A few years ago, when I first started to study heritage interpretation at uni, we were asked to write a paper on 'The origins, purposes and developments of interpretation.' For me, the obvious starting point was oral history. Oral cultures pass on and continue their traditions through the stories and songs they share: in my … Continue reading Interpretation as a living social practice →