In 2009, in response to a series of articles concerning museum ethics, Seton Hall University hosted a conference titled New Directions in Museum Ethics: A Conference of Graduate Student Research to explore emerging ethical issues within the museum field. The conference offered valuable examples of how refined critical perspectives, analytical agility, and thoughtful deliberation can be applied to examine both longstanding and new issues of local, national, and global significance. Familiar topics, though addressed with fresh perspectives, included the ethics of exhibition, the ethics of conservation, and the role of the museum—as a catalyst for change, a figure of ownership, an advocate for stewardship, and a site of conscience. According to the conference program, the purpose of New Directions was to bring “students, academics, and museum professionals together to discuss transparency, accountability, social responsibility, and democracy in the museum.” Participants represented graduate programs in Museum Studies, American Studies, American History, Art History, Archaeology, Law, and Visual Culture Theory. Read more about the conference here.