Bioarchaeological Knowledge Mobilization and the Museum as Knowledge Broker
Abstract
Knowledge mobilization – the process of creating, disseminating, and using knowledge to generate real-world value and impact – is essential in research. The highly contextual nature of human remains poses unique challenges for successful bioarchaeological knowledge mobilization, requiring these projects to address historico-cultural, sociopolitical, and ethical contexts in order to mobilize knowledge in a way that is both accurate and appropriate for diverse communities. This thesis considers the way that museums, as places of community heritage and engagement, may serve as knowledge brokers, facilitating meaningful interactions between researchers and the wider public. Exploring museum professional perspectives in conjunction with an analysis of bioarchaeological exhibit websites and a case study of Guanajuato, Mexico, this study establishes key factors of successful bioarchaeological knowledge mobilization in museums, identifies potential barriers to these processes, and generates a list of informed questions to guide the development of future bioarchaeological knowledge mobilization projects.