Research summary
Museums are important venues for education and learning because they reach diverse audiences in accessible ways. As a result, they have been at the forefront of teaching the public about changing environments, biodiversity loss, waste streams, and the climate crisis. But museums themselves are intensive energy users that have large carbon and waste footprints.
Dr. Kirsty Robertson, Canada Research Chair in Museums, Art, and Sustainability, is trying to develop a better balance between museums’ potential to work with the public on pressing issues and their overuse of resources. She and her research team hope to solve this problem by studying, developing and advancing knowledge and solutions that increase environmental awareness among those who run museums. Robertson and her team are also developing more sustainable approaches for the arts and training the next generation of museum professionals in sustainable practices.