Beyond surface representations : museums, 'edgy' topics, civic responsiblities and modes of engagement

In contemporary societies where shared values, common meanings, disciplinary and institutional authority are under question, where debate and divisiveness are part of everyday life, museums face ongoing challenges to re-evaluate their roles in a diverse and deeply politicised world. In this article I explore the potential roles museums might play around contentious subjects, in promoting public discourse and social transformation and suggest ways museums might be reconceptualised as dynamic discursive spaces. Here I draw on the findings from the international research project Exhibitions as Contested Sites – the roles of museums in contemporary society (funded by the Australian Research Council, the Canadian Museums Association with partners the University of Sydney, the Australian Museum and the Australian War Memorial).