Localizing Content for your Audience

This session will cover different institution’s experiences and approaches to localizing content for various contexts: science festivals, touring exhibitions and development of permanent exhibits.

It will also cover the challenges but also opportunities of striking a balance between creation of universal content and the demand for very localized content. The speakers will share their experiences of strategies, approaches and outcomes in the process of consolidating existing content with local needs.

Mr. Ayman El Sayed, will be hosting this panel but also offering a glimpse into the world of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, specifically with reference to recent examples of localizing external projects for their audience.

Ms. Neama Al Marshoodi, Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee’s Manager of Content will discuss how and why Abu Dhabi has committed to developing and fostering partnerships with other government agencies, non-profits and organizations dedicated to a similar mission. Abu Dhabi has invested significant time and talent over the past five years in creating and growing a robust informal science education program – all in an effort to help spark interest in science and technology careers in the Emirate’s youth.

Mr. Nawaf AL-Rudaini will talk about the Scientific Center as an Edutainment pioneer in Kuwait. To ensure that the topic is understood by the local visitors, The Scientific Center puts a great deal of effort into translating the exhibits and films. In the session he will detail those efforts, and all measures taken by The Scientific Center in helping the visitors understand Science by simplifying it , while making it age appropriate.

Mr. Brad Irwin will speak about The Natural History Museum’s development of new touring exhibitions. These are developed with a novel approach to encourage partnerships, create new opportunities for collaboration and allow flexibility needed to tailor content to different hosting institution’s local audience.

Mr. David Taylor will discuss how museum personalization and emerging technologies can contribute to localizing content for audiences in the GCC Region. These approaches can help to create meaningful museum experiences and build stronger museum communities but they also present significant challenges.

Mr. Tom Rockwell will present examples of the recent collaborative work with local and regional communities in the San Francisco Bay area as well as in the Middle East. The discussion will center on how best to craft a project profile and partner roles to maximize strong local ownership and capacity building while also leveraging the Exploratorium's creative and educational resources.