ICOM has announced a call for papers for an upcoming issue of Museum International, focusing on “Contemporary Professional Challenges in Museums: Working Conditions and Ethical Dilemmas.” The issue, Vol. 77, No. 306-307, is scheduled to be published in December 2026 in collaboration with Taylor & Francis/Routledge.
Submissions are open until January 5, 2026. Proposals will be reviewed for suitability and, if selected, articles will undergo a double-blind peer review process. Contributions will be voluntary.
According to ICOM, museums have been seen as spaces that encourage the exploration of challenging ideas. In 2022, ICOM revised its definition of museums to include responsibilities such as fostering diversity and sustainability. This reflects recognition of the importance of pluralism and addressing current global challenges like climate change.
The organization notes that museum professionals are currently facing a range of challenges that affect their work environments and the values they maintain. These include ongoing impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic, conflicts, economic disparities, and criticism from authoritarian regimes. Such factors contribute to uncertainty within the sector.
ICOM is seeking submissions that address how these challenges are experienced by museum workers worldwide and how staff are adapting their professional practices under pressure. Topics suggested include political interventions affecting museum programs, job insecurity, solidarity practices within museums, threats to professional integrity, strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion, maintaining museums as spaces for open discussion, staff retention during difficult times, and innovative recruitment or management initiatives.
Abstracts should be between 250 and 300 words and may be submitted in English, French or Spanish to publications@icom.museum in Word format. Authors who do not receive confirmation within two weeks are advised to follow up.
Each abstract should include the title of the paper, author names and professional background. Selected abstracts will lead to full articles; guidelines will be provided after acceptance with about two months allowed for completion. Full articles can also be submitted in any of ICOM’s three official languages.
Museum International is published in English but accepts proposals in French or Spanish as well.
Authors should structure abstracts to provide an introduction to the topic; outline research questions or critical issues; describe innovation or new perspectives; explain methodology; summarize conclusions; list selected references; and include up to five keywords.
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