Bridging the Gap: Using Digital Interactives for Social Museums

Abstract

Designing the built environment with an inclusive approach that allows equal access for everyone is necessary to reduce social inequalities. Creating a physical environment that includes all segments of society and activates all senses is crucial in museum spaces. Digital interactions used in museum spaces offer new possibilities and interfaces to eliminate inequalities and increase inclusiveness. This study examines the integration of digital interactives in museums with a focus on the social museum concept. Through a comprehensive review of literature spanning museum studies on social museums, digital interactives, and inclusive museum concepts, this research investigates the role of digital interactives in fostering social engagement and facilitating interactive learning experiences within museum settings. Drawing on the theoretical framework and practical examples the paper explores how to employ digital technologies strategically to enhance visitor interaction, promote inclusivity, and facilitate knowledge sharing in social museum environments. This research demonstrates the transformative potential of digital interactives in museums as social spaces and provides a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic relationship between technology, museum practices, and social inclusion. The result of the research shows that digital interactives used in museum environments, such as haptic tools, wearables and mobile technologies, extended reality technologies, RFID and AI technologies, offer new ways of engagement for a more social museum and increase social inclusion.