The event brought together researchers, curators and museum leaders to explore how collections are increasingly being used as research infrastructure, contributing to new knowledge, innovation and solutions to contemporary societal challenges.
Representing NEMO, Havu joined a panel of experts from the Natural History Museum, British Museum and University of Reading to discuss the growing importance of collections in research and innovation.
The discussion highlighted how museum collections can support a wide range of future-oriented research areas, including climate change, biodiversity, resilience and adaptation. Speakers explored how digitised and connected collections are enabling new forms of discovery and interdisciplinary collaboration, while historic objects and specimens continue to generate fresh insights and research questions.
The panel also reflected on the role of museums and collections in providing long-term evidence and knowledge that can help society better understand environmental and social change. Particular attention was given to the value of collections as foundations for future research systems and as resources for addressing complex global challenges.
