From the 10th to the 14th of November 2025, ICOM will hold its 27th General Conference in Dubai with the motto “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities”.

This year, COMCOL will join forces with ICOFOM and ICTOP and organise a joint symposium: “Training the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers”.

For decades, ICOM committee members have been at the forefront of both the theoretical and practical sides of training museum professionals. With over 250 master’s and doctoral-level programs offered globally, alongside alternative pathways like internships and apprenticeships, it begs the question: Are today’s Museum Studies programs truly equipping professionals for the rapidly evolving needs of contemporary museums?

This meeting aims to dive deep into the pressing issues surrounding the training of tomorrow’s museum scholars and professionals. What are the ethical and practical implications of the growing number of educational programs? Are we flooding the market with too many graduates for too few positions, or are there still vast gaps in training opportunities, particularly in underserved regions? And most critically, are these programs truly aligning with what the museum sector needs today? How do these trainings connect theories and practices in order to get critical points of view and think what museums are for? This meeting will spark a conversation that bridges the gap between education and real-world museum needs, bringing together voices from across the globe to explore solutions, share strategies, and ultimately, shape the future of museum training.

The call for papers detailing the key themes can be found here. We invite you to submit your 350 words-abstract for an individual or collective presentation until the 15th of March via the online form.

We look forward to reading your submissions and meeting you in Dubai!