Resources

Good practice and research in the museum sector

We aim to develop, inform and disseminate good standards of practice around the development and care of collections by providing information on standards and guidelines, publications, research and reports and access to useful links. This is carried out by supporting and promoting the Heritage Council of Ireland’s Museums Standards Programme of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Museums Council’s Accreditation Scheme UK.

We additionally work with key partners to highlight conservation and preservation priorities, ethical practice and to improve documentation, through the dissemination and exchange of knowledge and research.

Current research projects include: 

• The EU and cross-border museum activity in Ireland. A Northern Bridge Partnership funded collaborative research project with Ulster University. Lead researcher: Catherine McCullough. Supervisory team: Professor Elizabeth Crooke, Dr Philip McDermott, Gina O'Kelly.

• Museums, Empire and Northern Irish Identity. An Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded postdoctoral fellowship awarded to Dr Briony Widdis and based at Queen's University Belfast. Partners: IMA, NI Museums Council, National Museums NI, and CSHIHE.

The IMA also promotes museum research through our partnership with Irish Museums Trust, who have generously committed to funding of €25,000 over five years in micro-grants to support mobility and research development within the museum sector. 

If you would like to share resources with colleagues across the sector, please contact us to speak with a member of our advocacy working group.