Museum Detox had a starring role at this year’s Museums + Heritage Show in May 2024. Alongside our vibrant stand expertly managed by our fabulous volunteers, Sara Wajid, Co-CEO of Birmingham Museums Trust, and I, Jeannette Plummer Sires, trustee of the Council for British Archaeology (CBA), led a compelling panel discussion titled Towards Inclusive Governance.
It's so inspiring to see more professionals from the Global Majority stepping into leadership positions, but it's essential to be intentional about where we apply our energy. If we invest in organisations that don’t truly value us, we risk becoming disillusioned and burned out. Change is a long-term strategy, requiring us to feel empowered and well-supported in our environments.
In the session, we shared our personal and professional journeys to governance roles. For me, joining the board of trustees of the CBA required careful consideration. I needed to ensure our that I wouldn’t be brought on merely for optics. The executive team took their time to build trust with me, assuring me that my contributions would be valued equally. This was a crucial point and a major takeaway for the audience. I chose to join the board of trustees of the CBA because I saw that our values aligned, and I believe the CBA is a leader in the sector—not just in its public offerings but also in the way it nurtures its team. This is a place where I knew I could make a difference and grow.
The closing question posed to both Sara and me was, “What would we like to see in the future?” For me, it's two things: I want more people to associate archaeology and museums with joyful practice and spaces, and I believe this can only happen with greater intersections of society at the helm and heart of these organisations.
Let's continue to drive inclusive governance and create spaces where diversity and inclusion are not just goals but lived realities. Together, we can make a lasting impact and transform our cultural landscape for the better.
You can watch our panel discussion Towards Inclusive Governance on YouTube.