"Innovation in Heritage Education: Exploring ImmersiveTechnologies Across European Museum and Heritage Sites"

In light of windfalls in more readily accessible immersive media, as well as constraints forced upon the sector by the global COVID-19 pandemic, this short paper seeks to paint a broad picture of the uptake of immersive media in the European GLAM sector at large. Sitting at the nexus of pedagogy, entertainment, and academic interest, museums are constantly evaluating and reevaluating the requirements of navigating a world in full digital shift. How does the ever-advancing tide of digitalization impact the traditional responsibilities and roles in the GLAM sector, and what, if at all, is the role of the museum in shaping the discourse around immersive media? While it is apparent that there are brand leaders in the sector, there must be greater consideration of how to democratize and utilize immersive media, without either succumbing to populist forms of edutainment, or sacrificing social capital stemming from the erosion of institutional trust. The result of these lines of enquiry entails a need for language development and new relevant terms that directly address immersive media and new technologies for cultural heritage institutions.