ABOUT ME

I’m Lucrezia Gigante, a Museum Studies academic researcher interested in contemporary public culture and the politics of place-based participation. My work explores how situated cultural practices contribute to civic life, with a particular focus on cultural citizenship, belonging, and interdisciplinary approaches to place.

I currently work as a Research Associate at the University of Glasgow, contributing to the Place-based Research Programme –a major AHRC strategic research initiative.

Previously, I was a Postdoctoral Research Associate with Culture Commons on the UK-wide open policy development programme ‘The Future of Cultural Devolution’, working in partnership with over 30 institutions.

My PhD, awarded by the University of Leicester’s School of Museum Studies and funded by Midlands4Cities/AHRC, examined ten international art organisations as sites of progressive cultural citizenship. I was (and am) particularly interested in the political agency and responsibility of cultural organisations in producing and reproducing ideas of place through their public programming.

In parallel with my academic work, I’ve collaborated with the Global Network of Water Museums (UNESCO-IHP) on a number of projects since 2019. More recently, I’ve started to serve as Co-Lead of their Water & Education working group, supporting cross-cultural engagement with water heritage.

As part of my role at Glasgow, I convene the Early Career Place Network – a space for researchers, policy professionals, and practitioners to explore collaborative approaches to place-making, culture, and participation.