October 9, 2026
ICOM-UMAC 2026: University Museums as Actors for Sustainable Development Conference
12–16 October 2026 | University of Patras, Greece | On-site and online
From 12 to 16 October 2026, the international university museum community will gather in Patras, Greece, for the ICOM-UMAC 2026 Annual Meeting, “University Museums as Actors for Sustainable Development”, with ICOM Europe as a conference partner.
Hosted by ICOM Greece and the Science and Technology Museum of the University of Patras, the conference brings together museum professionals, researchers, academics and representatives of international museum organisations to explore how university museums and collections can actively advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
An International Programme with a Global Perspective
The five-day conference features a rich and diverse programme reflecting the growing international engagement of university museums with sustainable development.
The programme includes:
- 49 oral presentations across six thematic sessions;
- 15 flash talks and 21 poster presentations, offering additional opportunities to share research and innovative practices;
- Three roundtables and two practical workshops devoted to collaboration, sustainability and object-based learning;
- Contributors affiliated with institutions in more than 30 countries and territories across five continents;
- Museum visits and professional exchanges in Patras and Athens, including a visit to the Environment Museum of Stymphalia.
With 85 scheduled oral, flash-talk and poster contributions, the programme demonstrates the wide range of approaches through which university museums are contributing to sustainability worldwide.
From Climate Action to Social Inclusion: Five Major Themes
The conference addresses five interconnected dimensions of sustainable development:
1. University collections and the SDGs – Exploring the value of academic collections, digital accessibility, artificial intelligence, innovative exhibitions and sustainable heritage management.
2. Education, public engagement and participation – Highlighting museum–school partnerships, lifelong learning, inclusive education, community participation and the role of museums in promoting wellbeing and social cohesion.
3. University museums as strategic actors for sustainability – Examining how museums can contribute to institutional sustainability strategies, responsible management, interdisciplinary cooperation and the development of greener campuses.
4. Climate resilience, environmental risks and heritage protection – Presenting approaches to climate education, collections risk management, conservation and the protection of heritage in the face of environmental challenges.
5. North–South cooperation and global partnerships – Exploring international collaboration, knowledge exchange and shared approaches to sustainable development across different geographic and institutional contexts.
The programme brings together perspectives from Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and Oceania, demonstrating the importance of international cooperation in addressing shared challenges.
Strengthening International Museum Cooperation
A distinctive feature of ICOM-UMAC 2026 is the involvement of representatives from across the ICOM network, including ICOM Europe, ICOM Africa, ICOM France, ICOM Burkina Faso, ICOM South Africa, ICOM Greece, ICOFOM and UMAC.
The conference will open on 12 October with addresses by representatives of the University of Patras and ICOM, including Juliette Raoul-Duval, Chair of ICOM Europe, and Sébastien Soubiran, Chair of UMAC.
The opening keynote, delivered by Maria Oikonomou of the University of Glasgow, will explore participatory digital heritage and justice-led approaches to sustainable development.
On 14 October, a dedicated roundtable, “From Collections to Collaboration: Supporting Sustainability”, will bring together leaders of ICOM committees and museum networks to discuss opportunities for cooperation.
Another roundtable, “Empowering the Next Generation: Young Professionals as Actors for Sustainable University Heritage”, will highlight the perspectives of emerging museum professionals from different parts of the world.
Connecting Museums, Universities and Society
Beyond its scientific programme, ICOM-UMAC 2026 offers opportunities for dialogue, professional networking and direct engagement with university collections through museum visits, workshops and exchanges.
The conference underlines the potential of university museums to connect research and education with public participation, cultural heritage preservation and practical responses to environmental and social challenges.
As a conference partner, ICOM Europe welcomes this international initiative and its emphasis on cross-regional cooperation, knowledge sharing and the contribution of museums to a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Programme and Further Information
Dates: 12–16 October 2026
Venue: Science and Technology Museum, University of Patras, Greece
Format: On-site and online
Conference languages: English, French and Greek