The Museums Computer Group are delighted to announce George Oates as the opening keynote speaker at UKMW14. As the creator of Flickr Commons, she’s had a huge impact on the cultural sector. As if that wasn’t enough, her wider experience has given her an international and interdisciplinary perspective on design and technology, and a sense of which developments in the digital world are important for audiences. With a wave of her magic wand, her keynote will take a long view on the digital heritage sector. Which significant changes in the digital world have affected the UK museum sector in the past few years, and how have cultural organisations prepared themselves for the changes ahead?

George Oates

George is a designer, and friend to museums, libraries and archives. She created the Flickr Commons back in 2008, and has revolved around the sector ever since, at the Internet Archive, as a research associate at the Smithsonian, and art director at Stamen Design. About 4 months ago, she started her own design firm called Good, Form & Spectacle, centered on design in service to cultural heritage.

The MCG’s #UKMW14 ‘Museums Beyond The Web’ will be held at the Natural History Museum in London on Friday November 7 2014. We’re conveniently located in central London, and you won’t believe how much we’ve packed into just one day! Hear expert speakers, connect with other digital museum professionals and come away inspired to do bigger, greater things. Join us by getting your ticket at ukmw14.eventbrite.co.uk

We’ve added some new lightning talks to our programme – Google’s Pierre Far will share Google’s perspective on mobile-friendly designs. From the museum world, the Collection Trust’s Nick Poole will do his best to inspire and provoke. And in case you missed the news – our closing keynote is Dr Ross Parry, sharing his reflections on the post-digital museum. Between George and Ross and everyone inbetween, UKMW14 will be a day to remember.

Tickets are just £75 for members (and £37.50 for students/unwaged). UKMW attendees usually tweet up a storm, but there’s nothing like being there on the day. We’ve built in plenty of refreshment breaks to keep energy levels high and give you time to meet and catch up with other digital specialists in the museum and heritage sector.

Frankie Roberto at UKMW08

Frankie Roberto at UKMW08

UKMW14 is an opportunity to hear what others in the sector (and outside) are doing, to identify opportunities for collaboration, and to meet colleagues working in similar environments. UKMW has provided opportunities to reflect on our practices and our audiences for over ten years. This year, the focus on technologies ‘beyond the web’ takes us beyond the everyday of ‘online’ and towards thinking about new experiences for visitors inside and outside museum environments. Technologies and topics covered by the conference include:

  • Lightweight & low-budget mobile tours
  • NESTA’s Digital Culture survey
  • iBeacons
  • Smart exhibits
  • Linked Open Data
  • Google Glass
  • Oculus Rift

UKMW conferences have a proven track record in highlighting best practice in digital cultural heritage through engaging presentations, providing inspiring keynote speakers from within and beyond the sector, and in offering delegates the opportunity to network and learn from each other in a supportive environment. But don’t take our word for it. This is what some attendees said about last year’s UK Museums on the Web…

  • “wonderful and inspiring” Nicole Cama, Australian National Maritime Museum
  • “engaging and well-planned” Alex Moseley, University of Leicester
  • “an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues who have a similar interest in how we can make the best use of new digital technologies and platforms as part of our core museums work.” Jessica Suess, Oxford ASPIRE
  • “The day was good value for money, had a great location – both for being in the middle of a great museum and having good facilities, and was well planned time wise.  I met some lovely people who gave me helpful suggestions of contacts to make and technologies to try, and learned so much I need more hours in the day to look over my notes and try out the projects discussed!” Linda Logan, Culture and Crafts
  • “it was great to feel the buzz of conversation that you wouldn’t normally associate with a full day’s conferencing.” Mike Linstead, York Museums Trust

Advance booking is essential. Get your ticket at ukmw14.eventbrite.co.uk

UKMW14 is sponsored by Faversham & Moss, @favershammoss. Faversham & Moss partners with organisations to discover opportunities for growth and transformation through the creation of digital products. We would also like to thank our venue sponsor, the Natural History Museum.