Marco Mason

I am Marco Mason, a Marie Curie research fellow at the School of Museum Studies, University of Leicester. I am conducting a joint research project with the University of Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum titled “Design Thinking for Digital Heritage: Developing Communities of Design Practice for Visitor Experience.” The project is founded by the European Community, Marie Curie Action, IF – H2020.

I hold a Ph.D. in Design Sciences (2012). My research is at the intersection of Museum and Digital Heritage studies, Social Science and Design Research for the study of Human-centered-design practices in cultural heritage institutions. The focus of my research is the design practice – i.e. the creative and making process through which collaborative team go through to create the final (digital) information system. If you are interested you can find more information about me and my research on my personal website

This research project investigates how and why a Design Thinking / Human-Centred Design culture can play a central role in fostering a visitor-centred design practice that delivers meaningful and engaging visitor experiences. The research objective is to reflect on the process of adopting Design Thinking / Human-centred Design approach and to analyse its impacts on museum design practice. In parallel, we seek to inform our analysis with a series of case studies in other (UK) museums and cultural organisations which have engaged with Design Thinking and/or Human-Centred Design.