This month’s picks circle around one question: how do we make good decisions, whether we’re managing a team, defending a collection, or choosing the right AI tool?
What’s Making Us Curious?
The Real Reason Museum Workers Leave
“In Museums Moving Forward’s study of 681 former US art museum workers, a whopping 85% cited poor management as their top reason for leaving the field (66% called it a major reason, ahead of low pay at 53%). Respondents described managers hired for subject matter expertise who never received proper management training, leading to poor day-to-day communication, conflict avoidance, and unprofessional, inappropriate, or discriminatory behavior. The report also notes a lack of transparency during crises and retaliation against workers who reported workplace issues. In a field that’s always short on money, better-trained managers may be the most affordable fix.”
— Hannah
Museums and Censorship
“A few of my picks over the past year have centered on censorship in museums. So, it caught my attention when Susie Wilkening tackled this subject from the visitor perspective in her recent data story shared on the AAM Alliance blog. It is reassuring to know that, across political parties, the vast majority of the general public supports museums’ curatorial independence.”
— Katie
Guide to AI Models
“I found this article from earlier this year helpful for breaking down the different AI models that are available. AI has evolved in a very short time from being used as a simple chatbot to helping with professional tasks like creating presentations or data visualizations. While the question of whether to use AI at all for certain tasks is valid, it feels important to understand how the current models work. The article, while at times a little dense, deconstructs the pros and cons of different models depending on your goal or task.”
— Emily
New on the Learning Hub
What’s New At Kera?
Senior Researcher Katie Chandler will be at the American Evaluation Society’s (AEA) annual conference November 16-20 in Charlotte, NC. She would love to meet up and chat (just reach out at hello@keracollective.com)!
We completed our most recent project with the United States Botanic Garden, which involved developing a Using Data Toolkit to help them apply the four-season visitor data we collected for them in 2023. Learn more about the project here.
This month we started working with the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute (MCI). We are evaluating two professional development programs: an internship program for current or recent undergrads, and a training for first responders to strengthen their ability to respond to disasters affecting cultural institutions, historic sites, and collections.
Moment of Wonder
“My husband and I visited Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park as part of a 15th anniversary trip. There were so many moments I could choose from our visit to the Park—walking through a lava tube, viewing the active eruption from Halemaʻumaʻu crater, seeing a cinder cone up close. My favorite moment was standing at the Kīlauea Iki overlook and ‘seeing’ our planned hike. It is one thing to read about the trail in preparations, but to see the path across the solidified lava lake on the floor of the Kīlauea Iki crater with eruptions from Halemaʻumaʻu crater in the background was thrilling!"
— Amanda
