Looking Back at Module 1: Five Days of Learning and Exchange

Over five days, Module 1 of TheMuseumsLab 2026 set the stage for the months ahead, bringing Fellows together online to engage with key themes and ideas that guide the programme.

Module 1 of TheMuseumsLab 2026 has come to a close and set an inspiring tone for the programme ahead.

Over five programme days, Fellows, speakers, and contributors came together online in rich conversations, thoughtful exchanges, and critical reflection. Through keynote conversations, interactive workshops, peer coaching, and collaborative learning formats, Fellows explored contemporary museum practice from multiple perspectives while engaging directly with leading practitioners from Africa and Europe. Throughout the week, the programme examined how museums respond to complex societal questions and evolving professional challenges.


Here's what the Fellows shared about Module 1:

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Discussions explored memory cultures in Rwanda and Germany, the role of museums in negotiating contested histories and colonial legacies, the opportunities and ethical questions raised by digital transformation, and leadership approaches that encourage collaboration, inclusion, and institutional change. A particular emphasis was placed on the role of museums as spaces for dialogue, critical reflection, and social responsibility. Alongside these thematic discussions, interactive workshops, peer coaching, and peer learning sessions encouraged Fellows to connect the programme content with their own professional contexts. Sharing experiences across institutions, disciplines, and countries, participants reflected on common challenges, exchanged practical approaches, and strengthened the international network that lies at the heart of TheMuseumsLab. The combination of conceptual discussions and collaborative learning created a dynamic environment that will continue to shape the Fellowship as it moves into the next modules.

A heartfelt thank you to all speakers, workshop facilitators, and moderators for generously sharing their expertise, insights, and experiences:

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  • Alexandra P. Alberda · Curator of Indigenous Perspectives, Manchester Museum, and Research Illustrator
  • Alistair Hudson · Scientific Artistic Chairman of Zentrum für Kunst und Medien (ZKM) & member of TheMuseumsLab Partner Museums Network
  • Annamária 'Panni' Szu · Professional Leader at Hungarian Open Air Museum, Department for Strategy & TheMuseumsLab Alumna
  • Assumpta Mugiraneza · Director & Co-founder IRIBA Center for Multimedia Heritage & member of the International Academic Committee
  • Bebero Lehmann · Curator, Museum Selma
  • Britta Söderqvist · Director General of the Swedish National Museums of World Culture
  • Carla Vitantonio · Vice-President, IHSA International Humanitarian Studies Association
  • Chantal Umuhoza · Curator at Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy & TheMuseumsLab Alumna
  • Chrischené Julius · Director of District Six Museum in Cape Town, South Africa
  • Corrine Fowler · Honorary Professor of Colonialism and Heritage / Freelance author and curator & member of the International Academic Committee
  • David Nkusi · Assistant Lecturer in Heritage Studies at University of Rwanda
  • Esra Özyürek · Professor at University of Cambridge
  • Eunice Ngangeyu · Researcher at Ministry of Tousrism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Department of Museums and Monuments & TheMuseumsLab Alumna
  • Facil Tesfaye · Honorary Assistant Professor at The University of Hong Kong & member of the International Academic Committee
  • Fatma Jabberi Farroukh · Chief Architect, Museum Curator, Head of Museographic Activities at Centre for Arab and Mediterranean Music (CMAM) – Ennejma Ezzahra Palace & TheMuseumsLab Alumna
  • Gabriel Schimmeroth · Head of Public Program and Curator at MARKK - Museum am Rothenbaum & TheMuseumsLab Alumnus
  • Gregor H. Lersch · Director of Casa di Goethe Roma
  • Habiba Insaf · Museums, Archives, Decolonial Thought at Humboldt Universität zu Berlin/inherit
  • Injonge Karangwa · Doctoral Researcher at KU Leuven & Co-Founder of Nyanja Lab & member of the International Academic Committee
  • Jerome De Groot · Histories at Risk, Professor of Literature and Culture, English and American Studies, University of Manchester
  • Jocelyne Stahl · Curator for Education at Stiftung Humboldt Forum & TheMuseumsLab Alumna
  • Jonas Tinius · Director of the Berlin-Brandenburg Office for Everyday Culture at the Institute for European Ethnology / Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and member of the International Academic Committee
  • Jouanna Hassoun · Director of Transaidency e. V.
  • Katja Kaiser · Co-director of the Center for Humanities of Nature, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin
  • Loyiso Xulu · Museum Curator at Luthuli Museum & TheMuseumsLab Alumna
  • Lukas Fuchsgruber · Project Manager of Open Cultural Data Team | Wikimedia Deutschland
  • Lucy Patterson · Advisor at Open Cultural Data Team | Wikimedia Deutschland
  • Mahmoud Malik Saako · Assistant Director of Museums/Archaeologist at the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) & TheMuseumsLab Alumnus
  • Maurice Mugabowagahunde · Governor, Northern Province, Rwanda
  • Melissa Kurkut · Co-Founder of Milele Virtual Museum & TheMuseumsLab Alumna
  • Michelle van Wyk · Director, National Art Gallery of Namibia
  • Nathalie Keurmeur · Lead Team Digital Content, Programm Department at Humboldt Forum & TheMuseumsLab Alumna
  • Nicola Müllerschön · Partner, Executive Search Arts & Culture at ODGERS
  • Olga Balashova · Head of Board MOCA NGO/ UMCA at Ukrainian Museum of Contemporary Art (UMCA)
  • Dr. Oris Chapinga Malijani · Cultural Heritage Researcher at Department of Museums and Monuments Malawi & TheMuseumsLab Alumnus
  • Ore Disu · Director of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA Institute)
  • Pauline Buhlebenkosi Ndhlovu · Exhibition Curator at National Art Gallery of Namibia & TheMuseumsLab Alumna
  • Dr. Philibert Gawakenzie · Senior Lecturer of History at the University of Rwanda
  • Sabine Wohlfarth · Museum Educator and Curator at GRASSI Museum für Völkerkunde & TheMuseumsLab Alumna
  • Samba Yonga · Co-founder of Women's History Museum of Zambia/ Ku-Atenga Media & TheMuseumsLab Alumna
  • Sandra Shenge · Director of Programmes / Memory and Peace Education at Aegis Trust / Rwanda
  • Shai Hoffmann · Managing Director of Gesellschaft im Wandel gGmbH
  • Prof. Dr. Sigrid Weigel · Former Director and Senior Researcher of ZfL Research Center at Leibniz Zentrum für Literatur- und Kulturforschung
  • Sima Luipert · Director for Development Planning at the Hardap Regional Council
  • Tali Nates · Founder & Director of Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre
  • Ulrich Schrauth · Curator for Immersive and Digital Art at UBS Digital Art Museum Hamburg
  • Vivaldi Ngenzi · Museum Director at Rwanda Art Museum | RCHA & TheMuseumsLab Alumnus
  • Zandra Yeaman · Curator of Discomfort/ Head of Strategy Development and lmplementation at Discomfort based at the Hunterian Museum