CALL FOR PAPERS

ICOM’s International Committee for Money and Banking museums, (ICOMON), along with partner committees INTERCOM, ICOM ARAB, ICOM SEE, IMREC, ICOM UK, and ICOM France, invites participants of the ICOM Dubai Conference to submit proposals for presentations regarding the two main themes of the ICOMON sessions.

Theme 1: ‘The Future of Museums in a Rapidly Changing World: the essential role of leadership to ensure sustainability’ (12-13 November).

The theme will be explored through three focused sessions, each addressing a specific area:

1. Museum Funding: Emerging Trends and New Futures
2. Museum Leadership and Strategic Advocacy
3. Ethical Outsourcing: Freelancing and Leadership

 

The three sessions will be held on 12 and 13 November 2025, each offering a distinct perspective on the multifaceted nature and significance of leadership within museums. Addressing topics ranging from funding mechanisms to the managerial complexities of outsourcing, as well as the critical role of strategic advocacy, these sessions aim to underscore the contribution of museums in cultivating ethical management models and leadership competencies that promote the long-term sustainability of their institutions

Museum Funding and Advocacy

We invite submissions that explore current trends in museum funding, aiming to provide insights into strategies for achieving financial sustainability. Presentations should be concise, aligning with the Pecha Kucha format (approximately 6–8 minutes), and may address the following topics:

(a) examples of the impact of government funding being reduced or withdrawn (b) innovative examples of self- generated income (c) examples of new funding models (d) examples of a successful advocacy campaign to raise awareness of the need for on-going government funding.

Papers dealing with advocacy should help us understand how museum leaders, board members, governing bodies, museum staff, volunteers, and the public can support museums and raise their voice. We are looking forward to receiving papers similar to a pecha kucha session of @ 6 -8 minutes from museum directors or board members addressing (a) examples of successful advocacy campaigns to raise awareness of the need for on-going government funding (b) examples of building stakeholder advocacy groups (c) examples of lobbying campaigns aimed at decision-makers (d) examples of partnerships, public relevance, and public heritage consciousness.

Outsourcing and freelancing present a range of challenges for museums. We invite submissions in the format of a Pecha Kucha session (approximately 6–8 minutes) that illustrate one or more of the following topics how they: (a) balance employed staff and contracted workers outside their institutions in ethical ways (b) examples of problematic external outsourcing/freelancing – what issues they raised and what impacts they had in the short and long-term (c) examples of successfully managing outsourcing to achieve desired results (d) guidance for choosing which type of projects are better outsourced and which are best to keep in-house.

 

Theme 2: Future scoping: In conversation with young museum leaders of the future (15 November)

The theme will be discussed in two sessions, each covering another specific area:

 

1. Existing and emerging museum leaders.
2. How to integrate emerging leaders into ICOM decision-making processes

 

The sessions are scheduled for 15 November 2025. They will delve into innovative, critical, and forward-looking views on museum leadership. Relevant topics may include studies on new leadership models and essential skills for the 21st century. What competencies will future museum leaders need? How can they be equipped for these challenges, and how will they advocate for the importance of museums in a rapidly changing cultural environment.

Presentations are supposed to last 10 minutes and focus on the contents below.

The first session focuses on current and emerging museum leaders in the Middle East and invites proposals that explore how regional dynamics affect museum leadership practices. The focus is on both current challenges and creative solutions for the future in the local museum sector. For example, submissions can contextualize museum leadership in the region by analyzing the effects of regional histories, post-colonial influences, and existing local leadership models. In this way, they can explore the balance between protecting cultural heritage and fostering contemporary, inclusive narratives.

Moreover, as part of the research on innovative leadership strategies, we promote research that illustrates how leaders transform museum governance, decision-making and social engagement. A key question in this context could focus on how these leaders modernize their institutions through digital approaches and emerging technologies. Furthermore, we  invite submissions that examine the need for educational pathways and leadership development programs for future museum leaders in the Middle East. Other relevant topics that address the challenges and opportunities facing museums include collaborative leadership, funding strategies, and crisis management. Proposals should include significant new information and be backed by empirical research, case studies, or comparative evaluations.

 

In the second session, which will focus on integrating emerging leaders into ICOM’s decision-making, we encourage proposals considering theoretical frameworks and real-world experiences.

Topics of interest include the impact of fresh perspectives on decision-making, ICOM’s observations on generational shifts and the evolving dynamics of museum leadership, the challenges of incorporating up-and-coming leaders into an organizational network, bridging generational gaps, ensuring diversity and representation, and fostering future-oriented decision-making and mentorship, among others.

 

It is anticipated that those who submit proposals for this call willregister for and attend the ICOM Dubai Conference and cover the associated expenses.

https://dubai2025.icom.museum/registration

 

Proposals should be submitted by the end of May 2025 and should include the following information in English / French (with assistance of ICOM France and ICOM Arab to review) :

1. International committee and number of ICOM membership
2. Institution of employment and role in the institution
3. Session and topic for which the presentation is submitted
4. Title of submitted paper presentation
5. Abstract (200 words minimum –  300 words maximum)
6. Keywords (5)
7. Name(s) of Author(s)
8. Contacts with obligatory email address
9. Support equipment required
10. Marking whether the presentation is planned to be onsite
11. All submissions must include a 100‐word bio with a photograph of each presenter.

 

Please send proposals as a Word Document attachment to the e-mail  secretary.icomon@icom.museum with the subject reference: ICOMON SESSION PROPOSAL and your name.

The proposals will be evaluated by the board members of ICOMON and partner committees. Selected presenters will be contacted by the end of June 2025. Selected presenters are requested to submit their complete presentations by September 15, 2025. Those submitting abstracts agree to record their presentations to make them available for online participants and consent to the publication of their papers in the conference proceedings.