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Who Owns History? episode artwork

Mar 7, 2023 32 min

Who Owns History?

from RSA Conversations Hosted by Adam Kuper

In this thought-provoking interview series from the RSA, Matthew Taylor, puts a range of leading thinkers on the spot - from writers to business leaders, politicians to journalists - by asking for big ideas to help build effective bridges to our new future. Anthropologist and author, Adam Kuper, explores the intricate relationship between museums and the societies that they represent. Adam joins Matthew to discuss the ways in which museums have become cultural battlegrounds for debates about power, identity, and representation. They explore the ethical dilemmas that arise when museums display the cultural artefacts of others, and how these objects can both inform and misinform our understanding of history. Adam Kuper was most recently Centennial Professor of Anthropology at the London School of Economics and a visiting professor at Boston University. A Fellow of the British Academy and a recipient of the Huxley Medal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, Kuper has appeared many times on BBC TV and radio and he has reviewed regularly for the London Review of Books, the Times Literary Supplement, and the Wall Street Journal. A Tempo & Talker production for the RSA. In this time of global change, strong communities and initiatives that bring people together are more invaluable than ever before. The RSA Fellowship is a global network of problem solvers. We invite you to join our community today to stay connected, inspired and motivated in the months ahead. You can learn more about the Fellowship or start an application by clicking here.

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Anthropologist and author, Adam Kuper, explores the intricate relationship between museums and the societies that they represent. Adam joins Matthew to discuss the ways in which museums have become cultural battlegrounds for debates about power, identity, and representation. They explore the ethical dilemmas that arise when museums display the cultural artefacts of others, and how these objects can both inform and misinform our understanding of history.

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Who Owns History?

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This episode is 32 minutes long.

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This episode was published on March 7, 2023.

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