Queering Northern Ireland's museums: LGBTQ+ rights, social justice & museum activism in a post-conflict society

Abstract

This thesis examines museum engagement with LGBTQ+ identity in post-conflict Northern Ireland and the extent to which the region’s socio-political particulars impact upon the development of an activist heritage practice.

Despite a growing scholarship on both queer museum practice and heritage activism, there remains a reluctance in the sector to engage with both of these subjects. The reasons for this have been explored by a number of key academics, however, the particulars of addressing LGBTQ+ experiences and narratives in the post-conflict context has yet to be considered. The thesis therefore examines the relationship between the museum sector and human rights legislation, the decision making process behind queer programming, and the impact of censorship on the development of a queer activist practice.

The research has been conducted using interviews with museum professionals based at Northern Ireland’s museums. A case study focusing on LGBTQ+ programming at the Historic Royal Palaces property, Hillsborough Castle provides a reflective insight into the development of queer activist practice from the researcher practitioner perspective.

These findings make important contributions to the wider discourse on heritage and conflict while also providing new insights into the museum’s ability to engage with contemporary issues of injustice.

Thesis embargoed until 31 October 2026

Date of Award	Oct 2024
Original language	English
Sponsors	Department for the Economy
Supervisor	Philip McDermott (Supervisor) & Elizabeth Crooke (Supervisor)