Boundary Objects is an international network for early career researchers working with museums and collections, run by and for its members. It is free of any institutional affiliation, allowing it to operate purely in the interests of its members.

 

Museum studies and its allied disciplines are, perhaps, the ultimate multi-/cross-disciplinary subjects, traversing the arts and humanities, and the social and hard sciences. In many parts of the world, these are young disciplines. We know, too, that there are many researchers working on museums, heritage and collections from within other disciplines, sometimes in comparative isolation from their fellows. Boundary Objects provides opportunities for its members to collaborate with museologists, material culturalists, heritage specialists and cultural policy researchers from around the world, on exciting, innovative projects.

 

We recognise that the academic world can sometimes be tough. It can be difficult to forge a post-doctoral career in the current climate, as well as maintain the motivation to publish research, look for employment and maintain a place in the academic ‘loop’. So, we have developed a network that:

·         facilitates opportunities for early career researchers working with museums and collections to meet online and in person, share ideas and develop new projects together;

·         campaigns for the interests of early career researchers by highlighting inequities in the academic jobs market, lack of access to source materials, and the issues created by fixed-term, part-time contracts with relevant agencies and organisations;

·         through its members, offers informal guidance, mentoring (including a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on!) when academic life get tough.

Boundary Objects is a free, online network, focused around our website (http://www.boundaryobjects.org/). Here you will find blogs, films and podcasts about issues that matter to you, our members, with useful links to open access resources, and organisations offering advice and support to early career researchers. Use our forum to get to know us and your fellow members – there will be threads dedicated to organising virtual and real-life meet-ups, opportunities for collaboration, sharing useful resources and advice, and support. Follow us on Twitter (@BoundaryObjects) and help spread the word!