Between April 2023 and October 2025, The Sensational Museum project examined what happens when museums adopt multi‑sensory approaches across their organisational processes. The project focused on two core areas:
- Recording information about collections
- Communicating objects’ stories to visitors
Led by disabled researchers, the project is rooted in two key principles. First, accessibility measures designed for specific groups tend to benefit all visitors, not only those they were created for – a concept known as “disability gain”. Second, no single sense should be required to experience a museum. As museums traditionally rely heavily on visual information, the project investigated how to create exhibits and experiences that do not depend solely on sight to convey meaning.
The GEM Case Study volume presents insights from pilot museums that tested tools and resources developed by The Sensational Museum. Their experiences show how multi‑sensory approaches can be incorporated into museum work, including handling collections, interpretive strategies, digital interactions or behind‑the‑scenes practices.
The publication also highlights how inclusive, sensory‑rich methods contribute to broader organisational learning, supporting museums in developing more equitable and welcoming environments.
The full volume offers practical examples, reflections and tools for museums interested in expanding sensory access and embedding inclusion within their daily operations.
