# Mapping Museums

> AHRC-funded research project, database and website studying museums in the United Kingdom

**Wikidata**: [Q103036767](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q103036767)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mapping-museums

## Summary
Mapping Museums is an AHRC-funded research project, database, and website dedicated to studying museums across the United Kingdom. It provides a comprehensive resource for understanding the museum landscape in the UK, offering detailed information and research findings.

## Key Facts
*   Mapping Museums is an AHRC-funded research project, database, and website.
*   Its inception date is 2016.
*   It is sponsored by Birkbeck, University of London.
*   The project focuses on studying museums in the United Kingdom.
*   Its primary website is http://www.mappingmuseums.org/ (English).
*   An alternative website is https://mapping-museums.bbk.ac.uk/ (English).
*   The principal investigator is Fiona Candlin.
*   It is also known by the alias "Mapping Museums Lab."

## FAQs
### Q: What is Mapping Museums?
A: Mapping Museums is an AHRC-funded research project, database, and website. It is dedicated to studying museums located in the United Kingdom, providing a comprehensive resource for researchers and the public.

### Q: Who sponsors Mapping Museums?
A: Mapping Museums is sponsored by Birkbeck, University of London. It operates as an AHRC-funded initiative, indicating support from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

### Q: When was Mapping Museums established?
A: Mapping Museums was established in 2016. Since its inception, it has functioned as an ongoing research project focused on UK museums.

### Q: What is the primary focus of Mapping Museums?
A: The primary focus of Mapping Museums is the systematic study of museums within the United Kingdom. It serves as a database and website to facilitate this research and disseminate findings.

### Q: What is the official website for Mapping Museums?
A: The primary official website for Mapping Museums is http://www.mappingmuseums.org/. An alternative website providing information about the project is https://mapping-museums.bbk.ac.uk/.

## Why It Matters
Mapping Museums plays a crucial role in understanding the dynamic landscape of museums in the United Kingdom. By functioning as an AHRC-funded research project, database, and website, it provides a centralized and accessible resource for academics, researchers, and the public interested in cultural heritage. It systematically collects and presents data on UK museums, which is vital for historical analysis, policy-making, and future planning within the cultural sector. For instance, its work includes datasets like "A Dataset of Collections Dispersal Following Museum Closures in the UK During 2000–2025," highlighting its contribution to documenting significant changes in the museum world. This comprehensive approach helps to preserve institutional memory, track trends, and inform discussions about the value and challenges faced by museums across the country.

## Notable For
*   Being an AHRC-funded research project specifically focused on museums in the United Kingdom.
*   Its dual function as both a research project and a publicly accessible database and website.
*   Its sponsorship by Birkbeck, University of London, a prominent academic institution.
*   Its inclusion on the focus list of the Wikimedia project for Cultural Heritage and GLAM catalogues, indicating its relevance to broader cultural documentation efforts.

## Body

### Overview
Mapping Museums is an AHRC-funded research project, database, and website. It is dedicated to the study of museums located in the United Kingdom. The project is also known by the alias "Mapping Museums Lab."

### Inception and Sponsorship
The project was established in 2016. It is sponsored by Birkbeck, University of London.

### Scope and Focus
Mapping Museums focuses on studying museums throughout the United Kingdom. It is classified as a science project, a database, and a website. The project's research includes topics such as "A Dataset of Collections Dispersal Following Museum Closures in the UK During 2000–2025."

### Leadership
The principal investigator for Mapping Museums is Fiona Candlin. This information was referenced on July 10, 2022, from https://museweb.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/people.

### Online Presence
Mapping Museums maintains two English-language websites:
*   Primary website: http://www.mappingmuseums.org/
*   Alternative website: https://mapping-museums.bbk.ac.uk/

### Wikimedia Relevance
Mapping Museums is included on the focus list of the Wikimedia project for Cultural Heritage and GLAM catalogues. Its main Wikidata property is P10873.

## References

1. [Source](https://museweb.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/people)