I.D.E.A. Conversation Series | Spring 2021

NHMU staff participated in a series of rich discussions about inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility (I.D.E.A.) with community leaders with years of experience leading equity and inclusion change efforts. Volunteers are encouraged to watch recordings of these conversations to hear about how the museum field is approaching equity, diversity, and inclusion, and to hear how NHMU staff are thinking about these issues in our work.

• “From Nice to Necessary” with Laura Huerta Migus Executive Director of Association of Children’s Museums (ACM)

Laura Huerta Migus is the Executive Director of the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) in Arlington, Virginia, the world’s largest professional society promoting and advocating on behalf of children’s museums and children’s museum professionals. She is a noted speaker and author on topics of equity and audience-focused museum practice. Watch the discussion by clicking here. Passcode: CDy^K@3&

• “Exploring the Role of the Chief Diversity Officer” with Kristan Crapps and Michelle Snoddy Diversity Officers at Chevron

Kristan Crapps and Michelle Snoddy work in the office of the Chief Diversity Officer at Chevron Corporation, the multinational energy corporation and winner of the 2015 Catalyst Award, where they work to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion for all people in the workplace. Watch the discussion by clicking here. Passcode: CTwu31^i

• “Accountability in DAEI” with Chris Taylor Chief Inclusion Officer at Governor’s Office Minnesota

Chris Taylor is the Chief Inclusion Officer for the Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. In this role, Mr. Taylor provides structure and strategic direction for enterprise-wide inclusion and equity efforts for the state of Minnesota. He previously served as the Director for Inclusion and Community Engagement at the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS). His work encompasses a systems approach to change. Watch the discussion by clicking here. Passcode: XT!2=1y.

• “Leadership and Equity “with Andrew Plumley Director of Inclusion at the American Association of Museums (AAM)

Andrew Plumley will direct AAM’s internal and field wide diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) work. His portfolio will include leading Facing Change, AAM’s unprecedented $4 million initiative to foster an inclusive institutional culture in museums and diversify museum boards and leadership. Watch the discussion by clicking here. Passcode: U1.*DCCf

• “Advancing DAEI at the Exploratorium” with Veronica Garcia-Luis Project Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Exploratorium

Veronica Garcia-Luis’s scope of evaluation work includes exhibit development, public programming, orientation and wayfinding, and audience development. Her role at the Exploratorium has grown since joining the museum in 1997, and she now leads a wide variety of mission-critical equity and inclusion efforts. Watch the discussion by clicking here. Passcode: S+qyr=8k

• "Community Engagement" with Lisa White Director of Education and Outreach, University of California Museum of Paleontology

Lisa joined the UCMP in July 2012 as Director of Education and Outreach. She comes to the UCMP after a 22-year history at San Francisco State University where she held positions of Professor of Geosciences and Associate Dean of the College of Science and Engineering. She taught undergraduate classes in paleontology, historical geology, and oceanography, and guided research projects with graduate students in Miocene diatoms of the Monterey Formation of CA, and fossil cold seep assemblages in the Franciscan Complex.

Racism, Unrest, and the Role of the Museum Field | December 2020

As part of the AAM Virtual Annual Meeting in June 2020, Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, and Lori Fogarty had a conversation about the museum field’s role in addressing racism. We watched the recording of this conversation, and then came together to react and reflect on NHMU’s role in addressing systemic racism.

Roles in a Social Change Ecosystem | November 2020 

Using resources from the Cultural Competence Learning Institute, we explored a scenario to understand our preferred personal responses to crisis. Then, we compared our own values to the (perceived or real) values of our organization, and understood how they are different and how they can support each other.

Using Mindfulness & Compassion to Explore Racism | October 2020 

We joined Trinh Mai, LCSW at the Resiliency Center in the U’s Office of Wellness and Integrative Health to learn about what racism looks like. We practiced mindfulness – the practice of gentle self-awareness – to explore racism. We increased our awareness of different forms of racism and some of the steps for responding.

Community Partner - Indian Advisory Committee | October 2019

We heard from NHMU staff to better understand how the committee advises NHMU in the use, care, study, and interpretation of Native American collections. (*Committee representatives had planned to attend and present to staff, but were unable to make it.)

Film Screening - "What Was Ours" | September 2019

We held a UEN showing of the film What Was Ours (2016) - A Shoshone veteran, a teenage powwow princess, and an Arapaho journalist discover their purpose on the Wind River Indian Reservation as they seek lost artifacts.

Tools for Inclusion | August 2019

Diverse teams benefit when inclusion is part of the organizational culture.  Unfortunately, non-inclusive decision-making and project management is far too common. We practiced tools and practices that can be implemented right away.

Religion and Science | August 2019

Dr. Rob O’Malley, the project director and project co-developer of AAAS’s Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion program, teaches leaders in religious communities how to incorporate science into their religious-based curriculum. We heard from Dr. O’Malley to learn communication techniques that he and his team use to bridge the divide between our two communities.

Braiding Sweetgrass | July 2019

We learned about the diversity and inclusion resource library available to NHMU staff and volunteers. During this workshop we highlighted the book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

What is the CCLI? | June 2019

A team from NHMU is participating in the Cultural Competence Learning Institute (CCLI). This session highlighted their efforts to build organizational capacity around diversity, inclusion, and culture, and explored the results of an all-staff survey taken in January 2019. 

Museums Are Not Neutral 2 | May 2019

We continued the conversation and examined how museum professionals refuse the idea that museums are neutral institutions. We examined this trend and reflected on ways that museums are embracing their role as agents of social change.

Mind the Mindset | March 2019

Based on conversations with staff, this workshop gave participants time for reflection and meaningful conversation with peers. Building an inclusive workplace starts with recognizing our own mental biases and blind spots. We took a step back from our work to think about how our own learning mindset can open our minds to seeing things from a new perspective and forge real relationships with people from different backgrounds. We delved into the concepts of fixed and growth mindsets, and examining how our values and beliefs shape who we are and influence our behavior.

Inclusive Hiring | February 2019

Recruiting, hiring, and retaining diversity across our organization is a priority to ensure our future relevance and vitality. This session was not just for hiring managers, but relevant for all staff and volunteers to foster engagement and inclusion.

Inclusive Design | January 2019

Everette Bacon, President of the Utah Federation for the Blind, shared thoughts on intentional design practices in audio, tactile, and language experiences to create inclusive exhibitions and programs. 

Protect Bears Ears | November 2018

NHMU leadership discussed how our scientific expertise informed the public conversation. We examined the increasing public pressure for museums to act as agents of positive social change. #MuseumsAreNotNeutral

Las Hermanas Maya Lu'um | November 2018

A cooperative of sisters who continue living Mayan traditions in a Tzeltal community, shared how the preservation of customs and traditions decolonizes their identities for themselves and future generations.

Mexico's Indigenous People of Today | October 2018

David Lindes from Artes de Mexico en Utah shared a presentation that examined indigenous peoples, history, art, culture, appropriation, and fight for decolonization.

What's Up? Counter-Narratives in the News | July 2018

There’s a lot happening in the news. We discussed inclusion and diversity issues as they relate to current events, and reflected on the visible and invisible ways that our work at the Museum is impacted. Specifically, we explored the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo counter-narratives.

Community Partner - University Neighborhood Partners| June 2018

We heard from NHMU staff and a representative from University Neighborhood Partners to better understand how the Museum works with this partner to reach communities on the west side of Salt Lake City.

Promoting Inclusivity in Your Department | May 2018

We discovered some practical and powerful communication tools, like ORID questions and community norms, that we can use to get the most out our professional interactions.

What is Culture? | April 2018

Culture is a fluid, complex, and complicated idea. We explored the difference between surface culture and deep culture and see where you stand on issues of cultural humility and cultural competence.

Not Designed for Us | March 2018

We learned how science identity is formed and how traditional museum practices may be more exclusionary than we think. And, we became familiar with Emily Dawson’s work on under-represented communities in Informal Science Institutions.

Community Building | February 2018

We got up-to-date on the Museum’s ongoing community partnerships, learned strategies and guiding principles around community building that we can apply to our daily work, and helped brainstorm partnership opportunities for the Maya exhibit.