/ecm diskurs 47 David Rooney

Curating challenges in science and technology
Public Lecture by David Rooney, Honorary Research Associate, Royal Holloway, University of London
Moderation: Martina Griesser (/ecm-director team, Vienna)
Please register here to get the zoom ID: [email protected]

Curating in museums of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) brings particularly distinct challenges. What are the ‘objects’ of these subjects? How can we display and interpret them meaningfully?
And how can we tell stories of the people of STEM that move away from uncritical hagiography while accepting that some historical figures do carry public recognition? At the heart of these challenges is a critical engagement with audiences. Who are we curating for, and how can we make powerful cultural experiences?

David Rooney is a curator, historian, geographer and writer. He was formerly Keeper of Technologies and Engineering at the Science Museum, London, where he was Lead Curator of Mathematics: The Winton Gallery, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. He has also worked in the curating of historic sites. In this session, he will offer perspectives drawn from 25 years of curatorial practice in which he has sought to creatively address some of the challenges of STEM. And, after considering existing case studies, he will begin to explore what a STEM museum might look like in a spatially distanced world.

The talk will be in english, and streamed live.

The next /ecm study program starts in October 2020. Applications are still accepted until June 18th. The next /ecm entrance seminar will take place on June 27th 2020. B2 level in German and English are requested.
/ecm is directed by Martina Griesser, Christine Haupt-Stummer, Renate Höllwart, Beatrice Jaschke, Monika Sommer, Nora Sternfeld and Luisa Ziaja.