The development of museum studies in universities: from technical training to critical museocology created by Jesus-Predo Lorente

Abstract Since the pioneering examples of the early twentieth century, museum studies has largely developed through practical-oriented courses aimed at training specialists intending to follow professional careers within museums. This has slowly changed and museology has become part of graduate and postgraduate curriculum, both at the masters and doctoral levels. Some universities have chairs in museology, or even departments of museum studies, while the number of dedicated books and journals in the field, published by university presses, has expanded enormously over the past decade. Universities have also become major sponsors of conferences, seminars, and related scientific meetings on museology, signaling a major shift. It is, therefore, not surprising that university-based academics have become the leading theorists of critical museology: an international movement that advocates a postmodern rupture with linear narratives of authority formerly prevailing in museums. This new direction in museum theory is also renewing museum practice and it should be expected that it might expose museums even more to external views and voices.