MGS Knowledge Exchange, Heritage organisations supporting Scottish Travellers

Knowledge Exchange with Progress in Dialogue

Heritage spaces can be powerful sites for remembrance, reconciliation, and healing – but only when they work directly with communities. This session invites participants to explore how museums and heritage organisations can meaningfully engage with Gypsy/Traveller communities, grounded on knowledge exchange, respect and shared agency.

Museum and Galleries Scotland will reflect on the Scottish Government’s recent apology for the historical treatment of Gypsy/Travellers, and ask: What does it mean for museums to take responsibility in this moment?

Together, we will explore how both tangible heritage and intangible cultural heritage can foster inclusion and create restorative spaces that address the legacies of harm. Building on our organisation’s work on memory and expertise on topics such as restorative justice, remembrance and participatory action – participants will better understand tools and assets to influence their own practice.

This Knowledge Exchange will be led by Progress in Dialogue, founded by Gypsy/Traveller activists and now growing under the leadership of people from many marginalised communities. We will share our work, particularly with Nawken communities and open a conversation on the responsibilities museums hold toward the wider Gypsy and Traveller peoples.

Participants will also take part in self-reflexive breakout spaces designed to deepen personal and professional reflection. These will be opportunities to think critically about our own roles, explore anti-oppressive approaches, and develop tangible strategies for more inclusive, community-led heritage work.

Register for free.