Introduction

Since their inception, museums have served as custodians of art and culture, standing as beacons of civilization. As cultural hubs, they have bridged the past, present, and future—though not without challenges or criticism. In recent decades, significant efforts have been made to transform museums into more inclusive spaces, aiming to welcome diverse audiences, embrace alternative perspectives, and advance democratization. However, despite these initiatives, accessibility remains a persistent challenge. At a time when technological advancements are reshaping the museum landscape in unprecedented ways, one might expect inclusion and accessibility to become easier to achieve. Yet, despite the promise of emerging technologies, technological solutions often remain superficial, phantasmagorias of the present, failing to take into consideration research and theoretical frameworks that emphasize inclusive design as a collaborative and ground-up process.

This proposed session seeks to explore the intersections of accessibility, inclusion, and technology in the museum context. It invites presentations that highlight strategies and examples of how museums worldwide are leveraging tools such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) to create more inclusive and engaging visitor experiences for all. Focusing on practical applications and best practices, the panel will further explore innovative solutions addressing physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities while emphasizing the importance of co-creation in designing truly inclusive museum experiences. Furthermore, it will examine the ethical implications and limitations of technology in ensuring equitable access and explore how emerging technologies can serve as a means to democratize cultural heritage.

Invitation for contributions

In the Special Thematic Session with title Museums for All: Co-design, Inclusion, and Emerging Technologies we welcome presentations of research work or conceptual papers addressing the issues of co-design and inclusion in museums with the use of emerging technologies. Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Theoretical frameworks for inclusive design in cultural institutions.
• Use of emerging technologies in different types of museums for enhancing accessibility and inclusion.
• Developing innovative solutions for visitors with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities.
• Designing interactive and adaptive museum experiences for diverse audiences.
• Co-design methodologies for the use of emerging technologies for inclusion in museums.
• Issues of democracy and inclusion in the technological museum.
• Ethical consideration in the use of emerging technologies for inclusion in museums: who benefits, and at what cost.
• How emerging technologies can facilitate equitable access to cultural resources.

Chairs

Elena Stylianou, Associate Professor, European University Cyprus, Cyprus, e.stylianou@euc.ac.cy

Katerina Mavrou, Associate Professor, European University Cyprus, Cyprus k.mavrou@euc.ac.cy