The Co-construction of Power and Learning in a Museum Exhibit about Climate Change

• In Event: Power and Learning in Museums: Reimagining Museums as Sites of Untold Histories

Abstract

As trusted public institutions, museums are uniquely posed to engage in education efforts surrounding climate change. Yet, the social context in which learning unfolds in museums is complex, with many influences—such as powered constructs of gender and race—shaping who feels welcome and able to participate. This study examines how gendered groups’ co-construction of power affects their learning at a museum exhibit about climate change. We focus on one intimate couple where the influence of power seemed especially salient. Using Interaction Analysis, we found that the couples’ adoption of gendered roles positioned the man as holding power over the woman, which ultimately shaped her learning and led to interpretations of the exhibit that were more dismissive of climate change.

Authors

• Kaitlyn Kinshella, University of Utah

• Lynne Zummo, University of Utah